Somalia has rolled out a new biometric border security system to help tackle human trafficking, reduce illegal migration, and enhance national security measures against terrorism. The system, known as PISCES (Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System), went live at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on June 30, 2025, with technical support and training from the United States.
The PISCES platform collects biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images from travelers entering or leaving Somalia. The technology enables border officers to verify identities and check individuals in real time against national and international security watchlists. Somali authorities hope the system will serve as a critical layer of defense in identifying threats and deterring criminal networks operating across the country’s borders.
Part of Broader Security and Digital Identity Efforts
This deployment builds on earlier U.S.-backed biometric screening initiatives that began in 2018 under the MIDAS program, which introduced ten-fingerprint scanners at key ports of entry. The new system aligns with Somalia’s ongoing national digital ID program, launched in 2023, which seeks to integrate biometric data across government agencies to improve security, public services, and administrative efficiency. However, there is no specific public document labeled a “2024 digital identity strategy.”
At the launch event, Mustafa Duhulow, Director-General of Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency, emphasized the human security dimension of the technology, stating, “This is not just about adopting technology — it’s about protecting our people and restoring trust.” A U.S. Embassy official added that these systems “save lives, stop crimes, and build trust in institutions.”
Somalia’s biometric rollout also operates under the framework of the country’s Data Protection Act of 2023, which outlines requirements for handling personal and biometric data, balancing national security objectives with individual privacy rights.
Biometric Border Trends Around the World
The PISCES system is part of the U.S. State Department’s Terrorist Interdiction Program, a global effort that provides partner nations with technology and training to detect and disrupt terrorist travel. Officials in Somalia have indicated plans to expand biometric border systems to additional land and sea crossings and to link PISCES with other national security databases.
Globally, biometric border security continues to gain momentum. The European Union is preparing to launch its Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU travelers starting in October 2025, aiming to tighten border controls and automate immigration checks. Meanwhile, countries like Malaysia are exploring advanced biometric surveillance solutions, including facial recognition systems and biometric CCTV networks along their borders.
Somalia’s adoption of PISCES underscores how biometric technology is becoming central to modern border security practices, reflecting both regional and international trends toward stronger identification systems to counter transnational threats.
Sources: GhanaWebbers, Counter Extremism Project
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
