Major Win for Somali Community: New ID Center Opens in South Africa
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) of the Federal Republic of Somalia officially opened a new National Identity Card service center at the Somali Embassy in South Africa on 20 January 2026.
The facility aims to simplify access to national identity cards for Somali citizens residing in South Africa and the broader Southern Africa region, eliminating the need for lengthy travel to Somalia. The inauguration ceremony, held at the embassy in Pretoria, was presided over by Somalia’s Ambassador to South Africa, H.E. Mohamed Sheikh Issaq.
Embassy diplomats and staff attended the event. Ambassador Issaq directed embassy personnel to serve applicants with integrity, responsibility, and efficiency. The Somali diaspora community warmly welcomed the initiative, hailing it as a “great national victory” that demonstrates the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to its citizens abroad by making essential services more accessible and convenient.
