To Link SIM Cards With Government-Issued IDs In Digital Upgrade
Monrovia, Liberia – As part of the government’s commitment to improving the national citizen database, the National Identification Registry (NIR) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The initiative aims to register or update SIM/RUM cards for all citizens and residents of Liberia, with support from various government agencies.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Andrew Peters, Executive Director of NIR said, the key component of the MOU is the commitment to enroll all Liberian citizens and residents into the NIR’s database, which will become the cornerstone for identity verification across various sectors of the economy.
According to him, the agreement focuses on registering all SIM and RUIM cards, ensuring every mobile user is linked to a verifiable government-issued ID.
“The primary thrust of the MOU is to enforce the Amended SIM/RUIM Cards Registration Regulations (LTA-REG-008). These require all SIM/RUIM cards distributed by mobile network operators to be registered using government-issued IDs that can be electronically verified through the NIR’s platform. This strategic move is designed to tighten the security of Liberia’s telecommunications network and curb the unauthorized use of mobile services,” he said.
The NIR Executive Director stated that the NIR has established centers for registration in every District throughout the country and in some townships.
Director Peters indicated that there are presently over 4 million SIM cards in use in the country. NIR has established a centralized database with a capacity to house over 7 million entries.
He highlighted that the project will enhance efficient public service delivery, improve security, and support law enforcement by accurately identifying individuals.
Mr. Peters added that the National Identification Registry will ensure all SIM cards in the country are registered, even in the most remote areas, within the next six months.
For his part, the Acting Chairperson of the LTA, Abdullah L. Kamara, announced that the SIM card registration process will begin 45 days after the agreement is finalized.
Kamara explained that the registration will be rolled out over a three-month free period, followed by an additional three-month grace period.
After this, fees will apply for those who fail to register during the free period, and unregistered SIM cards may be blocked.
Kamara further outlined the benefits of the exercise, which include access to social services, e-government programs, and data to support national planning and development. He emphasized that the data collected will help inform policy decisions, resource distribution, and development strategies by providing insight into population demographics and trends.
He said that the LTA has a set goal to register 3.5 million Liberians, and this is a massive undertaking.
According to him, the LTA will oversee compliance and conduct regular evaluations of the registration process, while the NIR will manage the issuance of IDs and maintain the verification platform.
