Reporting by: HAN News Desk
MOGADISHU — Thousands of Somalis are flooding registration centres across Mogadishu to secure their National ID Cards before the government introduces new service fees at the end of October.
Over the past week, long queues have stretched outside district offices in the Banaadir region, with people waiting for hours — and in some cases several days — to complete their registration before the 31 October 2025 deadline.
Among those in line are elderly citizens, mothers with children, and people with disabilities, all eager to take advantage of the final days of free registration.
“I came early in the morning and have been waiting all day,” one resident told Goobjoog News. “I just want to finish the process before it becomes expensive.”
Officials say the surge has put heavy pressure on registration centres, which are struggling with limited equipment and staff shortages, despite operating extended hours.
The government has announced that starting at the end of October, the National ID Card will be required to access key public services — including banking, travel, healthcare, and government offices.
Authorities say the new system aims to modernise public administration, improve security, and enhance service delivery nationwide.
Despite the long waits, many citizens have praised the initiative, calling it a step toward better governance and transparency.
“The National ID will help reduce corruption and make it easier for people to access services,” said another applicant in Wadajir district.
The National Identification and Registration System forms part of Somalia’s broader digital governance reforms, supported by international partners.
It is the country’s first-ever national ID scheme, designed to assign each citizen a unique identification number and build a reliable database for future government planning.
Although the government has not yet announced the cost of the ID card after 31 October, officials say introducing fees will help sustain the programme long-term.
