Barrow launches national ID system with instant biometric cards
The project, delivered through a Public-Private Partnership between the Ministry of Interior and Margins ID Systems Applications Ltd, introduces a unified National Identity Register for all Gambians. Officials said the system will replace fragmented, paper-based identity processes with a single, secure digital register that allows citizens and residents to enroll once and use their verified identity across government services. “From today, Gambians age 18 years and above can enroll and receive their national identity card instantly. The card has secure biometric and public key infrastructure, fully compliant with ECOWAS and ICAO standards,” President Barrow said. He stressed that data sovereignty was a core principle of the project. “This developer reflects the principle that the identity of Gambians belongs to The Gambia. Every item of data collected remains the property of the government and the people of The Gambia. It is operated on infrastructure on our soil, and for a defined period, there will be full competence transfer entirely to the state.” Barrow said the ID system will also strengthen national security, reduce fraud and impersonation, and provide accurate data for planning health, education and social services. Nationwide enrollment will begin soon, with details to be announced through official channels. Abdou Karim Jallow Director General GICTA, said the launch addresses decades of duplication and delays. “Today is historic, Your Excellency. The inauguration of the National Identity Management System marks the establishment of a foundational capability that will transform how government and individuals deliver services and enable trusted digital interactions,” he said. He added that government agencies had previously built identity systems independently, forcing citizens to submit the same information repeatedly. “For the first time, we can now collect information across government institutions with fewer errors, fewer delays, and better service delivery. Identity is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a sovereign state. Without trusted identity, government cannot plan accurately and deliver services effectively.” The DG said NIMS is more than a plastic card. It is a secure digital representation of a person, backed by biometrics and a new public key infrastructure, PKI, that will allow government systems to authenticate users electronically in real time. Mr. Moses Baiden, CEO of Margins ID Group, said the company partnered with The Gambia for five years to design, finance, and build the system. The new data center, he noted, is ISO-certified and will host the national database on Gambian soil. “It is quite satisfying, and today we actualize a dream that we’ve been pursuing with you since we started about five years ago. The data center that belongs to the people of Gambia is going to form the foundation of NIMS, to drive Gambia into the new digital economy,” he said. He argued that digital identity is now a prerequisite for participation in the global economy, and said Africa can “escape legacy systems” by building modern platforms from the start. “With this digital platform, Africa can escape the legacy systems of the previous revolution that we have missed, and allow us to ascend as modern nations into the new world without any hindrances. We are happy to join the government of Gambia and the President of Gambia to conceptualize, to design, to finance, and to operationalize such a fantastic system.”
Black News 
The project, delivered through a Public-Private Partnership between the Ministry of Interior and Margins ID Systems Applications Ltd, introduces a unified National Identity Register for all Gambians.
Officials said the system will replace fragmented, paper-based identity processes with a single, secure digital register that allows citizens and residents to enroll once and use their verified identity across government services.
“From today, Gambians age 18 years and above can enroll and receive their national identity card instantly. The card has secure biometric and public key infrastructure, fully compliant with ECOWAS and ICAO standards,” President Barrow said.
He stressed that data sovereignty was a core principle of the project.
“This developer reflects the principle that the identity of Gambians belongs to The Gambia. Every item of data collected remains the property of the government and the people of The Gambia. It is operated on infrastructure on our soil, and for a defined period, there will be full competence transfer entirely to the state.”
Barrow said the ID system will also strengthen national security, reduce fraud and impersonation, and provide accurate data for planning health, education and social services. Nationwide enrollment will begin soon, with details to be announced through official channels.
Abdou Karim Jallow Director General GICTA, said the launch addresses decades of duplication and delays.
“Today is historic, Your Excellency. The inauguration of the National Identity Management System marks the establishment of a foundational capability that will transform how government and individuals deliver services and enable trusted digital interactions,” he said.
He added that government agencies had previously built identity systems independently, forcing citizens to submit the same information repeatedly.
“For the first time, we can now collect information across government institutions with fewer errors, fewer delays, and better service delivery. Identity is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a sovereign state. Without trusted identity, government cannot plan accurately and deliver services effectively.”
The DG said NIMS is more than a plastic card. It is a secure digital representation of a person, backed by biometrics and a new public key infrastructure, PKI, that will allow government systems to authenticate users electronically in real time.
Mr. Moses Baiden, CEO of Margins ID Group, said the company partnered with The Gambia for five years to design, finance, and build the system. The new data center, he noted, is ISO-certified and will host the national database on Gambian soil.
“It is quite satisfying, and today we actualize a dream that we’ve been pursuing with you since we started about five years ago. The data center that belongs to the people of Gambia is going to form the foundation of NIMS, to drive Gambia into the new digital economy,” he said.
He argued that digital identity is now a prerequisite for participation in the global economy, and said Africa can “escape legacy systems” by building modern platforms from the start.
“With this digital platform, Africa can escape the legacy systems of the previous revolution that we have missed, and allow us to ascend as modern nations into the new world without any hindrances. We are happy to join the government of Gambia and the President of Gambia to conceptualize, to design, to finance, and to operationalize such a fantastic system.”
