Somali officials concluded a 10-day peer learning mission in Pakistan on September 18, 2026, partnering with United Nations Development Programme offices to strengthen digital public infrastructure, identity systems, and social protection frameworks through bilateral technical cooperation.
Led by Abdiwali Ali Abdulle, Director General of the National Identification and Registration Authority, the mission brought together representatives from Somalia’s Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, and various development institutions. The two country offices of the United Nations Development Programme jointly organized the cross-border engagement.
Institutional Visits Across Islamabad and Lahore
During the 10-day itinerary, Somali representatives met with federal institutions driving Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda. The delegation toured the National Database and Registration Authority to study national identity frameworks and institutional structures. In Lahore, officials observed citizen service delivery firsthand at an e-Khidmat Centre, reviewing how integrated digital platforms streamline public access to government programs.
Financial and social protection systems formed a core focus of the technical exchanges. The delegation visited the Benazir Income Support Programme to evaluate the National Socio-Economic Registry and digital payment mechanisms used for social safety nets. Discussions at the Federal Board of Revenue centered on data integration and digital identity for taxpayer registration, while the State Bank of Pakistan demonstrated Raast, the country’s instant payment system, alongside a shared electronic know-your-customer banking platform. Civil society meetings additionally addressed outreach strategies for women, displaced populations, and marginalized communities facing registration barriers.
The Somalia-Pakistan Technical Cooperation Roundtable
The mission culminated in a formal roundtable session featuring Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani as the chief guest, where participants reviewed lessons learned and established future partnership priorities. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasized the foundational role of legislative bodies in shaping secure technology policy.
Gilani noted that the Senate of Pakistan had initiated its own transition toward a paperless e-Parliament. Abdiwali Ali Abdulle highlighted that while Pakistan offered robust expertise in digital identity and public finance, Somalia brought valuable experience in mobile money adoption and rapid digital uptake that could inform bilateral insights.
Partnership Action Matrix and Inclusion Goals
Delegates validated the Somalia-Pakistan Partnership Action Matrix at the conclusion of the talks, mapping out continued collaboration across foundational identity, legal frameworks, secure data exchange, and financial inclusion. Jama Hassan, Counsellor at the Embassy of Somalia, observed that functional identity extends far beyond numerical databases or registry lists. Jama Hassan underscored the necessity of connecting identity systems directly to public service access.
Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, pointed out that legal identity underpins inclusive governance by unlocking social protection and financial opportunities for vulnerable populations. Rizk noted that UNDP collaboration with NADRA had already assisted more than one million women in acquiring official identity documents, establishing a benchmark for ongoing institutional capacity-building.