By Amin Kef (Ranger)
As we step into 2025, a year marked for progress, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has made a clarion call to every Sierra Leonean, urging both citizens and non-citizens to obtain their National, Non-National or ECOWAS ID Cards. This is a critical step towards a more secure and efficient nation.
In a public notice issued on December 20, 2024, the NCRA, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Office of National Security (ONS), emphasized the urgency of obtaining these essential documents. The notice, signed by NCRA Director-General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker and Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu, highlighted that ID card checks would begin across the country on January 1, 2025.
These checks will take place at security checkpoints and in communities nationwide, as part of efforts to enhance identification systems and ensure the safety and security of all residents. Heads of state institutions have been instructed to ensure compliance with laws requiring the use of National Identification Numbers (NINs) or ID Cards for accessing essential services.
The NCRA has made it clear that ID Cards are now mandatory for various services, including:
- Financial transactions (banks, forex bureaus, insurance)
- Vehicle registration and licensing
- Public and private sector recruitment
- NASSIT enrollment
- Land and property registration
- Enrollment in educational institutions and public exams
- SIM card registration
- Vital events registration (birth, death, marriage, etc.)
- Immigration services (resident/work permits)
- Business registration and incorporation
The NCRA has urged citizens and foreign residents to obtain their Biometric ID Cards from any NCRA office or registration center nationwide. The National and Non-National ID Cards are mandatory, while the ECOWAS ID Card is available upon request.
The Biometric ID Cards, introduced in 2023, come with advanced security features such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition and embedded secure chips. These cards are designed to:
- Strengthen national and individual security.
- Simplify access to essential public and private services.
- Prevent identity theft and fraudulent activities.
An NCRA official noted, “These Biometric ID Cards enhance security and ensure that citizens and institutions are safeguarded from identity fraud.”
The Biometric ID Cards are available to:
- Sierra Leonean citizens aged 12 and above.
- ECOWAS nationals residing in Sierra Leone.
- Foreign residents who are legally required to obtain Non-National ID Cards for work and residence permits.
To apply for an ID Card:
- Visit an NCRA office or registration center.
- Complete the registration form with your personal details.
- Provide biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans.
- Collect your ID card after processing.
Registration centers are available in major towns, including Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Port Loko and several locations in Freetown.
In addition to this, the NCRA is working to enhance security by linking National Identification Numbers (NINs) to mobile phone SIM cards. This initiative aims to reduce cybercrime, with the possibility of deactivating telecommunications services, including mobile money transfers and voice calls, for those who fail to comply.
Director-General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, recently led a high-level meeting with stakeholders from the National Telecommunications Commission (NaCTA), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and the SLP to ensure smooth implementation of this integration.
The NCRA urges all citizens and residents to treat the acquisition of a Biometric ID Card as both a personal responsibility and a civic duty. By carrying your ID Card and linking your NIN to your SIM card, you play a vital role in enhancing national security and helping create a more digitally inclusive and efficient Sierra Leone.
For more information, visit any NCRA office, or contact the authority through their website at www.ncra.gov.sl, or call +232 33 939740 / +232 79 578063.
This year, make security and compliance a priority. Secure your Biometric ID Card today for a brighter, safer future in Sierra Leone.
