Somalia launches national ID for domestic travel
The initiative marks a historic step for a country that lacked a centralized ID system for more than three decades following the collapse of President Siad Barre’s government in January 1991.
Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency officially rolled out the use of the national identity card for domestic travel on Monday, a move aimed at modernising administration and strengthening border security.
Director General Mustafa Duhulow inaugurated the new service at the domestic arrivals terminal of the airport, overseeing procedures and briefing officials from the Border Department on the technical process and measures to ease citizens’ travel.
The first travelers to use the card successfully completed their journeys between regions, replacing previous identity documents and aligning the system with international identification standards.
Duhulow said the initiative would play a key role in enhancing security by tracking movements in line with the law, improving service efficiency by allowing Somali citizens to travel domestically with digital ID, and upgrading border management technology.
He also urged airport staff to exercise patience and courtesy as citizens adapt to the new system, ensuring the service provides maximum benefit to the nation.
Somalia launched its biometric national identification card system in September 2023, aiming to register at least 15 million citizens, including children, by 2029.
Historic step
The initiative marks a historic step for a country that lacked a centralized ID system for more than three decades following the collapse of President Siad Barre’s government in January 1991.
Since July 2025, Somali citizens have been required to present national IDs to access banking services, including opening accounts, making payments, deposits and withdrawals, and applying for loans.
In June, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation became the first federal agency to enforce the ID requirement, making it mandatory for driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, transport company verification, and other administrative services.
The rollout represents the most significant advance yet in Somalia’s adoption of a unified digital identification system.
Authorities are now preparing an ambitious campaign to register all 3.5 million residents of Mogadishu, signaling a decisive push to strengthen governance, enhance security, and streamline public services across the country.