Mogadishu, Somalia – The Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) in partnership with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has launched a six-day training program aimed at strengthening service delivery for Somali citizens living overseas.
The workshop, which began on Sunday in Mogadishu, brings together 30 ICA attachés who represent Somalia in various foreign missions. The training is designed to enhance their technical capacity in processing National Identification Cards and passports, ensuring that diaspora communities have easier and more reliable access to essential documentation.
Officials said the initiative will address long-standing challenges faced by Somali nationals abroad, including delays in obtaining legal identification and travel documents. By linking the National ID with passport issuance, the government hopes to streamline services, prevent duplication, and improve security.
“The Somali diaspora is a critical part of our nation, and they deserve efficient and transparent access to identification and citizenship services. This training equips our attachés with the tools and knowledge to meet that need,” an ICA representative said at the launch.
The program will cover practical sessions on digital systems integration, fraud detection, data protection, and customer service standards. Trainers from both ICA and NIRA emphasized the importance of consistent and standardized procedures across all embassies and consulates.
NIRA officials highlighted that the training is part of a broader government effort to modernize the national identity system, which will eventually make the Somali National ID mandatory for all public services, including travel.
Somalia has one of the world’s largest diaspora communities, with remittances forming a vital part of the country’s economy. Improved access to IDs and passports is expected to not only ease travel and residency challenges for Somali citizens abroad but also strengthen ties between the diaspora and their homeland.
The six-day training will conclude later this week with a joint review session to evaluate progress and outline next steps for further collaboration between ICA and NIRA.
