The National Identification Registry (NIR) has firmly rejected allegations that Liberia’s National Identification System is being handed over to a foreign company, insisting that the government’s proposed partnership with Austrian firm OSD does not amount to an outsourcing of the country’s biometric database or national identity infrastructure.
In a press statement issued Tuesday, June 2, the NIR described reports circulating in some sections of the media as “false, misleading, and calculated” attempts to undermine efforts aimed at modernizing Liberia’s National Biometric Identification System (NBIS).
The clarification comes amid growing public debate over an ongoing concession process involving OSD, an Austrian technology company expected to provide technical support and investment for the expansion of Liberia’s national identification program.
According to the Registry, the proposed arrangement is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) designed to attract major investment into the country’s identity management system. The NIR said the partnership would help modernize critical ICT infrastructure, improve logistics, strengthen system capabilities, and support a nationwide enrollment campaign intended to register all Liberians and legal residents within approximately 18 months.
The institution stressed that the Government of Liberia will maintain full ownership and control of all data collected through the national identification system.
“The data collected by NIR during enrollment is the sole property of the Republic of Liberia and will not be given to a foreign company,” the statement emphasized.
NIR further clarified that under the proposed agreement, OSD’s role would be limited to providing technical solutions and support services, while the Registry would continue to conduct enrollments, manage citizen records, and oversee all aspects of data storage and protection.
Responding to concerns over transparency, the Registry disclosed that President Joseph Boakai established a steering committee in 2025 to guide the concession process and ensure compliance with national procurement regulations. The agency maintained that all procedures followed the requirements of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) and that there is “absolutely nothing wrong or secret” about the agreement.
The NIR also defended the use of a sole-source concession process, citing provisions in the amended PPCC Act of 2026 that allow such arrangements in matters involving strategic national interests, national defense, or security concerns.
With questions continuing to swirl around the proposed partnership, the Registry sought to reassure the public that Liberia’s national security interests remain protected and that no foreign entity will have ownership of citizens’ personal or biometric information.
The agency promised that additional details of the agreement will be made public once negotiations are finalized and the arrangement is submitted to the National Legislature for ratification.
As debate over the future of Liberia’s digital identity system intensifies, the NIR is urging citizens to rely on information disseminated through its official communication channels, maintaining that its mission remains focused on building a secure, inclusive, and reliable identification system for all Liberians.
