By HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has commended the achievements of the National Immigration and Citizenship Agency (NICA) during a visit to its headquarters in Mogadishu, highlighting the government’s progress in modernizing immigration services and border management systems.
During his inspection tour, President Mohamud praised the agency’s recent milestones, particularly the successful rollout of the electronic visa (E-Visa) system, which allows travelers to apply for entry permits online — a major step toward improving efficiency, transparency, and security in the country’s travel documentation processes.
The president also lauded the implementation of the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), a modern technology used for managing border security and identifying travelers. The PISCES system utilizes biometric data, including fingerprints and facial recognition, to strengthen Somalia’s ability to monitor and control its borders in line with international standards.
President Mohamud emphasized that these advancements mark a significant leap forward in Somalia’s digital governance and state modernization efforts. He noted that improved immigration systems play a crucial role in national security, counterterrorism, and international cooperation.
Officials at NICA briefed the president on ongoing efforts to integrate biometric identification into national databases, streamline passport issuance, and enhance coordination between immigration checkpoints across land, air, and sea borders.
The Somali government has been working closely with international partners to strengthen its border management capabilities as part of broader state-building and institutional reforms aimed at restoring efficiency and credibility to public institutions.
President Hassan Sheikh reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting technological innovation and ensuring that Somali institutions meet international standards of service delivery and security.
