President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has signed Executive Order No. 147, mandating enrollment in Liberia’s National Biometric Identification System (NBIS) for all citizens and foreign residents. Announced by the National Identification Registry (NIR) this week, the executive order marks a significant shift in the country’s identity management policy and aims to strengthen service delivery and institutional accountability.
Mandatory Enrollment and Oversight Framework
Under the new mandate, all Liberian citizens must register with the NIR and obtain a National Biometric Identification Card, which will serve as the primary form of identification for accessing public services and private sector transactions. Foreign nationals residing in Liberia for 90 days or more must also enroll and obtain a Foreigner ID Card.
Executive Order No. 147 took immediate effect and requires all government ministries, regulatory agencies, and private institutions to enforce compliance. Oversight is shared among the NIR, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the Liberia Revenue Authority. The NIR will provide an online identity query portal and e-verification platform to help institutions validate ID credentials, with user fees to be set by the NIR Board of Registrars.
The order also reaffirms the requirement for a unique National Identification Number (NIN) in accordance with Liberia’s identity framework established by the 2011 repeal of PRC Decree #65. This NIN is now required for official transactions in education, healthcare, telecommunications, finance, employment, and national security.
Biometric Infrastructure and Privacy Protections
The NBIS is a cornerstone of Liberia’s broader Digital Transformation Initiative, which seeks to improve governance, enable secure digital services, and modernize ICT systems. Liberia’s biometric identification effort began with voter registration pilots in 2021 and has since expanded under the stewardship of the NIR and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority.
The executive order cites longstanding issues—such as double-dipping, fraud, and undocumented migration—that have hampered public service delivery. By implementing a unified biometric registry, the government aims to improve targeting of social programs, reduce waste, and enhance transparency.
To address concerns around data privacy, the NIR has committed to operating under Liberia’s data protection laws, including the National Identification Registry Act of 2011. The agency does not collect religious, political, or ethnic affiliation data and has implemented technical safeguards to secure all personal and biometric information.
Institutions are now required to inform their employees, partners, and customers of the new enrollment requirement and assist in facilitating compliance. The NIR has begun coordinating with key sectors to support registration efforts and build out verification infrastructure nationwide.
Sources: FrontPageAfrica, AllAfrica
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April 30, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
