Boakai Issues Executive Order On Nat’l Biometric Identification Enrollment

President Joseph Boakai, has issued Executive Order No. 147, mandating the enrollment of all citizens and foreign residents into the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS) and the mandatory use of the National Identification Card as the primary credential for accessing both public and private services across Liberia.
The Executive Order underscored the President’s commitment to strengthening governance, eliminating fraud, improving service delivery, and enhancing national security through digital transformation.
“This directive is a major step toward securing our national identity system and building a strong digital economy,” said President Boakai.
“A credible and secure identification system is vital for inclusive development and equitable access to services for all Liberians,” he assured.
Under this directive, all Liberian citizens and residents are required to enroll in the NBIS and obtain a biometric National ID card.
Additionally, foreign residents and visitors staying in Liberia for more than 90 days must obtain a foreigner ID Card.
The National ID will serve as a mandatory requirement to access essential services, including education, banking, telecommunications, healthcare, and government benefits.
The ID card and the NBIS will serve as the primary means of identity verification across all government ministries, agencies, and commissions, as well as eligible private sector institutions, such as mobile network operators and financial institutions.
The National Identification Registry (NIR) has been designated to manage the enrollment process, issuance, identity verification, and coordination with both public and private sector stakeholders.
Ministries and agencies are expected to issue sector-specific circulars to ensure compliance with this mandate.
The collection and use of biometric data under this order will strictly adhere to the National Identification Registry Act of 2011 and all applicable Liberian data protection and privacy laws.
Executive Order 147 is in alignment with the Government of Liberia’s Digital Transformation Initiative, launched on May 1, 2024.
The initiative aims to modernize government systems, foster institutional interoperability, and lay the groundwork for a robust digital economy.