Monrovia, Liberia – In order to access public and private services across the country, all Liberian nationals and foreign residents must register for the National Biometric Identification System and get a biometric ID card, as required by Executive Order No. 147 issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Based on the Liberian Constitution of 1986, which gives the president the authority to act urgently in the public interest, especially when circumstances call for prompt intervention outside of the normal legislative process, the order was signed on April 14.
All citizens and international residents are required by the presidential order to get a National Biometric Identification Card and register with the National Identification Registry. The card will be the primary means of identification for confirming legal status, gaining access to public services, and making purchases in the private sector.
With the goal to facilitate a seamless and countrywide implementation of the identification program, the directive emphasizes the necessity of collaboration between government authorities and private sector parties.
Additionally, foreign residents who stay in Liberia for 90 days or longer are required to register and get a Foreigner ID card. This document will serve as proof of identification and legal residency and is necessary in order to get services like SIM card registration and interaction with both public and commercial organizations.
The usage of the biometric ID is required by the presidential order in areas including national security, employment, telecommunications, healthcare, education, and finance. The policy must be enforced by commissions, regulatory bodies, ministries, and semi-autonomous organizations in the central government.
Important organizations that must follow and carry out the directive include the National Elections Commission, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Liberia Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Licensed commercial banks, insurance companies, and telecom providers are also covered by the order, as are state-owned businesses like the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation and Liberia Electricity Corporation.
Institutions in the private sector, such as concessionaires and professional licensing organizations, are required to incorporate the ID system into their daily operations.
Fees for digital identification services and ID verification will be determined by the NIR Board of Registrars. In order to provide services, all public and commercial organizations must have internal regulations requiring the showing of a valid national or international identification card.
To execute and enforce the ID enrollment policy within their respective sectors, each ministry, agency, and relevant private organization must publish official notices.
The Liberia Revenue Authority, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the NIR will coordinate oversight of compliance and enforcement.
With the goal to lower fraud and improve service delivery, the directive permits both public and commercial organizations to use the digital verification capabilities provided by the National Identification Registry. These actions comply with other Liberian legislation as well as the National Identification Registry Act of 2011.
The NIR will be in charge of ID card issuance and registration. Additionally, it will manage identity checks via its e-verification platform and Identity Query Portal, which are essential resources for organizations carrying out Know Your Customer (KYC) and background screening processes.
