ALL COUNTRIES INCLUDING Liberia must have a database system for their citizens and foreign nationals residing within their territorial boundaries. This is important. It helps the country to know exactly the total population with preceding classifications, which is essential for decision-making. It helps the government in its budgetary projections and appropriations to address social, health, security and political issues affecting the people.
SO, ON APRIL 14, 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai issued Executive Order No. 147, mandating all Liberian citizens and foreign residents to enroll in the National Biometric Identification System and obtain a biometric ID card to access public and private services nationwide.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER references the 2011 repeal of PRC Decree #65, which led to the creation of the NIR, and mandates the Registry to issue biometric cards containing a unique National Identification Number (NIN). This NIN is to serve as the primary government-approved identity number for use in registering births, deaths, passports, immigration documents, bank accounts, driver’s licenses, social security, education, and other key services.
THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION Registry (NIR), which is tasked with the implementation of the national identification system, has been working on the establishment of the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS). The system is designed to combat identity theft, fraud, and illegal migration, as well as enhance the efficiency of public service delivery and promote national security.
SIGNED APRIL 14, 2025, the Order is grounded in the 1986 Liberia Constitution, which empowers the President to take urgent action in the public interest, particularly in situations requiring immediate intervention outside the regular legislative process. The Executive Order No. 147, has directed all Liberians and foreign residents to register and by August 1, 2025, their IDs will be linked to cellular SIM cards.
UNDER THE EXECUTIVE Order, all citizens and foreign residents must register with the National Identification Registry and acquire a National Biometric Identification Card. The card will serve as the principal form of identification for verifying legal status, accessing government services and conducting private sector transactions.
THE ORDER STRESSES the need for cooperation among government agencies and private sector stakeholders to support a smooth and nationwide rollout of the identification program.
FOREIGN RESIDENTS WHO remain in Liberia for 90 days or more must also enroll in the system and obtain a Foreigner ID card. This credential will verify identity and legal residency and will be required to access services such as registering SIM cards and engaging with public and private institutions.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER mandates the use of the biometric ID in sectors such as education, healthcare, finance, telecommunications, employment and national security. All branches of central government—ministries, commissions, regulatory agencies and semi-autonomous institutions—are required to enforce the policy.
KEY AGENCIES, INCLUDING the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Labor and the National Elections Commission, must comply with and implement the order. State-owned enterprises such as the Liberia Electricity Corporation and Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, as well as licensed commercial banks, insurance firms and telecom providers, are also covered by the directive.
PRIVATE SECTOR INSTITUTIONS, including concessionaires and professional licensing bodies, are directed to integrate the ID system into their operations. The Order authorizes both public and private institutions to use the National Identification Registry’s digital verification tools to reduce fraud and enhance service delivery. These measures align with the National Identification Registry Act of 2011 and other Liberian laws.
THE NIR WILL oversee the registration process and the issuance of ID cards. It will also handle identity checks through its Identity Query Portal and e-verification platform, key tools for institutions conducting background screening and Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.
THE BOARD OF Registrars of the NIR will set fees for ID verification and digital identity services. All government and private institutions are required to adopt internal policies mandating the presentation of a valid national or foreigner ID card to access services.
EACH MINISTRY, AGENCY and relevant private institution must issue formal notifications to implement and enforce the ID enrollment policy within their respective sectors. Oversight of compliance and enforcement will be coordinated by the NIR, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Liberia Revenue Authority.
HOWEVER, WHILE THE Liberian Post applauds the initiative for the Government of Liberia to create a complete database of its citizens and foreign residents, we urge that the process in acquiring the National Identification Cards should be free of bottlenecks. The decentralization of the process in every county of the country cannot be overemphasized but rather it is a necessity to allow easy access in acquiring the National ID card.
THE NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION Registry (NIR) must ensure a smooth rollout process throughout the country if the August 1, 2025, date for the integration of the National ID Cards into cellular companies’ databases and other government and private entities for transactions. There is a need for the NIR to set up more mobile teams in educational sector, including elementary, high schools, colleges and universities; health facilities – hospitals, health centers and clinics; security sector – military and joint security agencies, among others. However, it is said that the rollout has been slowed because the government has been unable to access US$2 million in funding earmarked for more centers by the World Bank.
ACCORDING TO MR. Andrew Peters, Executive Director of the NIR, the funding has been blocked because of an outstanding debt to Techno Brand, the Nairobi-based technology firm that constructed the Registry’s digital infrastructure at a cost of US$5.9 million. World Bank requirements stipulate that all existing debts must be cleared before new funds can be disbursed.
PETERS SAID THE Registry has now made a payment plan agreement with the company. “We are hoping that maybe next month, the Bank will lift that so we can access that money, but as it is, we have not received any funding,” said Peters. “We’ve got a mobile team of almost 25,” he said, and detailed plans to establish 59 permanent centers and 118 mobile teams. Peters said he was optimistic about processing 500,000 people by August and one million by year-end.
THIS IS AN ambitious plan by the NIR but, we urge more urgency in this direction because speedy and smooth processing and issuance of the National Identification Cards to Liberians and foreign residents is cardinal in accessing public and private institutions services by August 1, 2025. Let the NIR increase its tempo in this endeavor for easy access and acquisition of the National Identification Cards in Liberia, this is the plead of The Liberian Post.
