Friday August 1, 2025
Logos of Somalia’s expanding financial ecosystem, including commercial banks, mobile money providers, and e-wallet platforms. New ID-linked banking regulations require a national ID for account access.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali citizens will be required to present a national ID card to open new bank accounts in the Banadir region, beginning September 1, the Central Bank of Somalia announced on Thursday.
The directive, issued in partnership with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) and the Somali Bankers Association, will apply to all commercial banks and licensed financial institutions operating in Mogadishu and surrounding districts. Authorities say the policy will be expanded nationwide in phases.
“The requirement for a NIRA-issued national ID ensures a uniform and verifiable identity standard across financial institutions,” the Central Bank said in a statement. “It is a vital step in strengthening customer verification, improving risk management, and fostering public trust in the banking sector.”
The plan is expected to combat identity fraud, prevent money laundering, and promote transparency in financial services.
The new banking regulation builds on a growing list of federal mandates that require citizens to present a national ID card to access government services. In June 2025, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation became the first federal agency to enforce the ID requirement, applying it to driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, and transport permits. That policy followed Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s April directive instructing all federal agencies to adopt the national ID system, which he described as essential to rebuilding public trust and improving national security.
NIRA, the institution responsible for managing Somalia’s digital identification infrastructure, was established by federal law in 2023. Its mandate includes issuing biometric ID cards, maintaining inter-ministerial data systems, and safeguarding citizen information. According to NIRA officials, biometric registration platforms such as e-Aqoonsi and Hubiye have been launched in several federal member states, although rollout remains uneven, particularly in rural areas.
Somalia has lacked a formal identification system for more than 30 years, following the collapse of the central government in 1991. In September 2023, authorities began issuing biometric ID cards, with registration centers established in Mogadishu, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Las Anod.
Somalia’s move toward universal identification also aligns with its recent membership in the East African Community (EAC), which requires member states to advance digital identity standards for regional integration and economic development.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has praised the national ID system as a key solution to persistent challenges in governance, elections, and economic inclusion.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the ID initiative as “the backbone of national security,” noting that the absence of official identification has hindered the country’s efforts to combat terrorism and deliver public services.
Despite the government's push, the ID program has faced resistance. In June, Puntland’s regional administration rejected the federal ID mandate, arguing it undermines the federal system and threatens regional autonomy. The dispute escalated when Puntland security forces arrested a journalist reporting on the ID rollout, prompting condemnation from media watchdogs and federal authorities. The federal government responded by reaffirming that NIRA is the only legally recognized authority for issuing national identity documents and warned that parallel systems would not be accepted.
Further complicating implementation, technical hurdles remain in integrating NIRA's system with other federal institutions. On July 11, the Immigration and Citizenship Agency confirmed that passports still require legacy documents, such as birth certificates and CID clearance letters, because its system has not yet been fully synchronized with NIRA's database.
Although the current requirement applies only to new bank accounts in Banadir, the Central Bank encouraged all Somalis to register with NIRA to ensure future access to financial and public services that will increasingly rely on verified identities.