By Sallieu S. Kanu
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has become a global model for digital identity management, attracting international scholars for research into its pioneering work. Under the leadership of Director General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, the institution has achieved near-universal registration of both citizens and non-citizen residents since its first Biometric Registration System launch in 2017.
The institution’s success has drawn the attention of Dr. Laura Lambert and Prof. Dr. Stephan Scheel of Leuphana University, Germany, as part of the ERC-funded “Doing Digital Identities” project. NCRA is one of five civil registration institutions being studied, alongside Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, and Malawi.
During their study, the researchers visited NCRA facilities in Freetown, Bo, Makeni, Koinadugu, Falaba, Kailahun, Kono, and Kambia, conducting 80 instances of field research and 100 qualitative interviews. Dr. Lambert praised NCRA’s inclusive policies, particularly its measures to prevent statelessness through diverse guarantors for citizenship verification and expanded resident registration. Their preliminary findings indicate that over 90% of Sierra Leone’s population is registered, with birth registrations increasing since 2024, facilitated by 2-3 centers per district.
NCRA has also introduced Mobile Registration Units and empowered Justices of the Peace, helping bridge gaps between citizens and state services. National ID cards have become a trusted identity tool, reinforcing public confidence in Sierra Leone’s digital infrastructure. While challenges persist in rural communities, researchers noted NCRA’s benchmark-setting accessibility and equity policies, with implications for regional mobility within ECOWAS.
Director General Massaquoi’s strategic vision has positioned NCRA as a global leader, drawing academics, policymakers, and donor partners to Sierra Leone’s digital identity revolution.