MONROVIA — Liberia’s ambitious US$54.7 million plan to transform its national identification system is yet to take off, with the National Identification Registry (NIR) saying the proposed deal with OeSD International GmbH remains subject to legislative approval and other legal requirements.
By Anthony Gray, Contributing Writer
NIR Executive Director Andrew Peters said the concession agreement between the Government of Liberia(GoL) and the Austrian-based company has been signed, but implementation cannot begin until the required legislative rectification is completed.
“The Concession Agreement between the Government of Liberia and OeSD International has been signed. However, its implementation remains subject to the required legislative rectification and other applicable legal requirements,” Peters stated during a press briefing in Monrovia.
Peters said the NIR would respect the authority of the Legislature and would not pre-empt the outcome of the ongoing legal process. While awaiting approval, he said the Registry is concentrating on institutional preparedness, stakeholder engagement and public awareness ahead of the next phase of the national identification program.
If approved and implemented, the project would mark a major shift in Liberia’s identity management system, moving beyond traditional identity cards to an integrated digital identity platform.
The proposed system would include biometric enrollment and deduplication, digital and physical identity credentials, secure identity verification, data integration and interoperability, as well as stronger cybersecurity and protection of personal information.
It would also introduce county-level and mobile enrollment, potentially making national identification services more accessible to people in rural and underserved communities.
According to Peters, OeSD International is expected to finance approximately US$54.7 million for nationwide enrollment and supporting infrastructure under a Build, Operate and Transfer arrangement.
The investment would cover biometric and identity management systems, digital applications, data migration, servers and network infrastructure, cybersecurity, identity verification, training and technology transfer.
Peters averred that the financing arrangement is intended to ease the immediate financial burden on the government while helping expand access to national identification cards, particularly among economically disadvantaged populations.
Peters also moved to address concerns over the ownership and security of Liberians’ personal and biometric information. He stressed that the proposed concession does not hand ownership of citizens’ identity data to OeSD International.
“Liberian identity data remains a national asset under the authority and control of the Republic of Liberia through the appropriate government institutions,” Peters intimated.
He explained that OeSD International would serve as the technology and concession partner, while the NIR would retain its statutory responsibility for national identity administration, data governance and the country’s identity infrastructure.
Peters pointed out that cybersecurity, controlled access, secure storage, auditability and protection of personal information would be central to the modernization effort. He added that the arrangement includes training and technology transfer designed to strengthen Liberia’s long-term capacity to manage the system without permanent dependence on an external company.
Meanwhile, Peters has cautioned citizens and residents against unauthorized individuals claiming to have special connections within the NIR.
He urged members of the public not to pay anyone promising to secure a National ID outside the Registry’s official registration process.
Peters said the NIR will release official information on enrollment locations, registration requirements, schedules and ID issuance once the necessary legal and implementation conditions have been met.
The NIR is also preparing for this year’s National Identification Day, which will be observed on Wednesday, September 16.
The annual observance is intended to raise public awareness about the importance of national identity and promote a stronger sense of belonging among Liberians.
This year’s celebration will be held under the global theme, “My Identity. My Shadow. Never Apart.”
Peters said President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has been invited to serve as Guest of Honor and keynote speaker.
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