Mogadishu, Somalia – The Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA), Mohamed Aden Duhulow, convened a key meeting with nearly 30 ICA attachés stationed in Somali embassies and consulates across the globe to assess and enhance services for citizens abroad.
The virtual consultation focused on evaluating how embassies and consulates are currently handling passport issuance, visa processing, and consular support. Participants discussed persistent challenges such as delays, limited technical capacity, and infrastructure gaps that affect Somali citizens seeking services in different parts of the world.
Duhulow emphasized that strengthening overseas service delivery is a core element of the government’s wider reform agenda to modernize immigration systems. He underscored the importance of uniform standards, digital innovation, and improved coordination between headquarters in Mogadishu and diplomatic missions abroad.
The attachés shared feedback on citizen needs and operational hurdles, offering recommendations for training, technology upgrades, and closer collaboration with host countries’ authorities. They also highlighted the growing demand for efficient e-services to support Somalia’s large diaspora population.
According to ICA, the reforms aim to make Somali passport and immigration services more secure, transparent, and accessible, while reducing opportunities for fraud. The initiative is expected to pave the way for greater public trust and smoother mobility for Somali nationals worldwide.
This latest engagement follows ongoing efforts by ICA Somalia to digitize records, expand the e-passport system, and align its services with international standards.