Liberia Mandates Biometric ID for All Residents Under New Executive Order

Monrovia — In a sweeping move to modernize national identity systems, Liberian President Joseph Boakai has signed Executive Order No. 147, mandating biometric ID enrollment for all citizens and foreign residents. The directive requires anyone residing in Liberia for 90 days or more to register with the National Biometric Identification System (NBIS), making the biometric ID card a prerequisite for accessing essential services like banking, telecoms, education, healthcare, and immigration.

The National Identification Registry (NIR) will manage the nationwide rollout, tasked with enrollment, ID issuance, and maintaining a secure database. Public and private institutions must now use NIR’s digital tools for identity verification.

This executive order forms part of Liberia’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at strengthening national security, curbing identity fraud, and building a tech-driven economy. Authorities have assured compliance with data privacy laws to protect personal information during the implementation process.

President Boakai’s administration hailed the move as a pivotal step toward a secure, efficient, and inclusive digital Liberia.