By: Samuel B. Johnson
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Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has issued Executive Order No. 147, mandating the compulsory enrollment of all Liberian citizens and foreign residents into the National Biometric Identification System, a sweeping move aimed at enhancing national security, accountability, and service delivery.
The order requires that National Biometric Identification Cards be presented to access both public and private services across Liberia. Addressing the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing on Thursday, Hon. Andrew Peters, Executive Director of the National Identification Registry (NIR), said the directive signals President Boakai’s unwavering commitment to the NIR’s statutory mandate.
“This executive order shows the President’s strong support for the full implementation of our identification system,” Peters said, noting that the NIR is collaborating with key public institutions to develop compliance regulations and guidelines.
To expedite the enrollment process, mobile registration teams will be deployed to various government offices nationwide. Peters emphasized that the biometric ID will become the primary form of identification for verifying legal status, accessing government services, and conducting transactions in the private sector.
Foreign residents staying in Liberia for 90 days or more will also be required to register and obtain a Foreigner ID Card, which will be essential for activities such as SIM card registration and accessing services in both public and private sectors.
Executive Order 147 extends across vital sectors including education, healthcare, finance, telecommunications, employment, and national security. Institutions like the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Liberia Revenue Authority, and the National Elections Commission are expected to fully implement the order.
Citing successful models from Uganda and Malawi, Peters said biometric systems have proven effective in curbing fraud and eliminating “ghost” beneficiaries, saving millions of dollars.
The NIR will oversee the entire registration process and ID issuance, supported by its Identity Query Portal and e-verification platform. The Board of Registrars will establish fees for digital identity services, and all institutions must adopt policies requiring a valid biometric ID to access their services.
Peters described the executive order as both “a challenge and an opportunity” and reaffirmed the Registry’s preparedness. With the backing of the National Identification Registry Act of 2011 and related laws, Liberia is set to advance significantly in digital identity and verification.
