PRETORIA — The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) has officially established a new service center at the Somali Embassy in South Africa, expanding the reach of national registration services to Somali citizens residing in the Southern African region.
The facility was formally inaugurated at the embassy in Pretoria by the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to South Africa, Mohamed Sheikh Isaq. The ceremony was attended by senior diplomats and embassy staff members. During the launch, Ambassador Isaq urged embassy personnel to deliver transparent, efficient, and citizen-centered services to applicants seeking the National Identification Card.
“This center will minimize long-distance travel and accelerate the process of obtaining official identification documents,” officials noted during the event.
Diaspora Welcomes the Initiative
The new service has received broad acclaim from the Somali community across Southern Africa. Diaspora members commended the Federal Government for decentralizing essential public services, noting that the center will significantly reduce the logistical burden previously associated with obtaining national documentation.
The initiative is part of a wider federal strategy to enhance Somalia’s national identity framework and facilitate better access to public services for citizens abroad. By extending registration capabilities to diplomatic missions, NIRA aims to ensure that the Somali diaspora can fully participate in the nation’s legal and economic systems.