National Identification Week 2026 Concludes in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, (SONNA) — National Identification Week 2026 has concluded in Somalia under the theme “My Identity, My Shadow, Never Apart,” with government officials, development partners, civil society representatives, persons with disabilities and other stakeholders gathering in Mogadishu to highlight the importance of an inclusive and accessible national identification system.

The conference was officially opened by the Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, H.E. Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh, who said Somalia had for many years been among countries whose citizens lacked a recognised national identity. He welcomed the progress made in establishing a recognised National ID and urged citizens to obtain their identification, while calling on stakeholders and media organisations to help raise public awareness. He also identified persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons as priorities and commended the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) for its work over the past three years.

Addressing the participants, the Director General of NIRA, H.E. Abdiwali Ali Abdulle (Timacadde), highlighted the significance of the theme for Somali citizens and stressed the importance of ensuring that every Somali has access to a recognised legal identity and the opportunities and services associated with it.

He said NIRA has so far registered 1.5 million Somali citizens, established 59 registration centres, deployed 17 mobile registration teams and opened 31 registration centres at Somali embassies. He attributed the progress to collaboration with government institutions and development partners, including the Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, the Ministry of Communications and Technology, the Central Bank of Somalia and the Somali Disaster Management Agency.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, H.E. Hassan Moalim Mohamoud, described the National ID as more than a number, saying it provides a foundation for recognising citizens as individuals and supporting fundamental rights. He said the system can help move identification beyond clan or group identity, reduce bias and favouritism and promote equal opportunities, while also strengthening security, justice and the rule of law by enabling judicial institutions to reliably identify individuals.

The Minister of Communications and Technology, H.E. Mohamed Adam Moalim, congratulated NIRA on the progress achieved in three years, including registering more than 1.5 million people. He also highlighted the role of identity in strengthening security and said address information will soon be linked to the National ID to further enhance security.

The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, H.E. Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud, said access to communication services, including SIM cards, will be dependent on having a National ID, describing the measure as an important step toward linking communication services to recognised and verified identities.

The Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Hussein Qasim Yusuf, highlighted the importance of the National ID in strengthening identity verification and protecting national systems. He said the National ID has been made compulsory for passport applicants to ensure identities are aligned, adding that it is essential for recognising citizens, protecting borders and preventing fraud.

The Commissioner of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA), Mohamuud Moallim Abdulle, stressed the importance of the National ID for every Somali and called for support to NIRA and the institutions working together to make the national effort a success.

The Secretary of the Somali Deaf Association, Mr. Muse Hassan Ahmed, thanked NIRA for efforts to make National ID registration more accessible to persons with disabilities, including bringing registration services closer to their communities and places of residence. He said such efforts are helping remove barriers and promote full inclusion, stressing that persons with disabilities should have opportunities not only to benefit from the identity system but also to participate as agents in the registration process.

A recorded message from the World Bank Country Manager for Somalia, Mr. Hideki Matsunaga, highlighted the importance of building strong systems that maximise the impact of the National ID for citizens and serve as a foundation for transparent and efficient government services and greater inclusion. The World Bank reaffirmed its commitment as a long-term partner in advancing Somalia’s digital transformation.

The conference also featured two panel discussions. The first focused on “Inclusion, Protection and Empowerment,” while the second addressed “Service Integration and the National ID Card.” The discussions provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on inclusion, protection, access to services and the broader role of the National ID.

National Identification Week 2026 concluded with NIRA expressing appreciation to participants and stakeholders who contributed to discussions and consultations throughout the week. The authority also recognised the continued collaboration of government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, and organisations representing persons with disabilities and vulnerable communities.