The ID documents and their supporting solutions were designed and implemented by an association of Oman’s Al Madina Group, a leading security printer and systems integrator; Ebtikart Smart System, a leading solution provider with presence in Somalia; and HID Global.

The introduction of these secure identity documents and supporting solutions will help the government of Somalia in its efforts to restore law and order, enhance economic development, and improve the standard of living for the citizens of Somalia.  The national citizen ID documents improve the security situation in the country by enabling law enforcement agencies to verify citizens’ identities, while the e-passport facilitates international travel across borders. The new electronic passport is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, ensuring that Somali citizens are carrying a fraud-resistant identity document that complies with current international standards.

Al Madina Group, in partnership with Ebtikart Smart System have already successfully delivered the secure e-passport and eID projects.

“We are excited for the future of Somalia and appreciate the government’s commitment to the highest international security standards," said Sheila Jamal, President of Al Madina Group. “We look forward to a continued partnership with HID Global, whose expertise and flexibility enabled the effective design and integration of advanced secure ID technologies and systems in a short-time frame."

HID Global will manufacture and provide highly secure chip-enabled electronic passport covers and a custom national ID card with multiple security features. “We are proud to contribute to this important programme and to partner with Al Madina Group, whose professional project methodology, flexibility and customer orientation has led to a seamless implementation," said Rob Haslam, Vice President of  Government ID Solutions with HID Global.

The solutions provided to Somalia have applications in a number of African as well as Middle-Eastern countries, given the need to constantly upgrade their Identity Management Solutions.