The new law creates a unified national identification system to improve governance and access to services.
Somalia has enacted Law No. 9, the Law on Identification and Registration of Citizens. The law establishes a unified national identification system and creates the authority to run it.
The Act was enacted to give Somalia a reliable, modern system for identifying its citizens. Its purpose is to streamline registration, provide secure identification, and improve access to public and private services.
Law No. 9, the Law on Identification and Registration of Citizens was enacted and entered into force on March 20, 2023.
A reliable way to prove identity underpins much of modern life, from opening a bank account to accessing public services. This law was designed to give Somalia that foundation through a single, standardised system.
Article 1 (Name of the Law) formally establishes the legislation, and Article 2 (Objectives) sets out its core goals: creating a citizen registry, legally verifying identity, and easing access to services and rights.
At the heart of the law is a new institution. Article 9 (Establishment) formally creates the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), and Article 10 (Objectives of the Agency) tasks it with ensuring that citizens can be identified and that their documents ease access to the services they need.
The law also protects the people it serves. Article 7 (Complaints Management) establishes a multi-tiered system to handle complaints about ID issuance and use, with unresolved matters escalating to the Minister and then to the courts.
Together these provisions create a system that is both functional and accountable, giving citizens a secure identity and a clear route to challenge problems.
This law is important because it gives Somalia a reliable national identification system for the first time in many years. Secure identity documents improve governance, support security, and make it easier for citizens to access services and exercise their rights.
“A reliable identity system is one of the quiet foundations of modern governance and economic life. By creating a national registry and a dedicated authority, this law gives citizens secure identification and easier access to services.”
, Aweis Osman Ahmed, M.Sc. (Master of Science in Information Systems), LL.B. (Bachelor of Laws)
Managing Partner at Mogadishu Law Office
This release is provided for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Professional legal advice should be obtained before acting on any matter discussed here.