Gongloe Flags National ID Deal

By Edwin N. Khakie

MONROVIA, September 22, 2026 — Prominent Liberian lawyer and politician Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe is urging the Legislature to subject the proposed concession for Liberia’s National Identification System to rigorous scrutiny, raising concerns about its potential implications for Liberian jobs, public revenue, national security and the protection of citizens’ biometric data.

Gongloe said while Liberia needs foreign investment, technology and expertise, any agreement involving the National Identification System should ensure job creation, skills transfer and protection of the country’s long-term national interests.

He questioned whether the proposed arrangement with Austrian company OeSD would be limited to providing technical support or would transfer functions legally assigned to the National Identification Registry (NIR) to a private operator.

According to Gongloe, the government can acquire foreign technology and technical expertise without surrendering statutory responsibilities assigned to a public institution.

He referenced a February 12, 2026 Supreme Court decision, which he said reinforces the need for concession agreements to comply with existing Liberian laws.

Gongloe also called for details of the proposed revenue-sharing or cost-recovery arrangement to be made public before the agreement is ratified.

He argued that Liberians should know how much revenue the government stands to receive under the arrangement and how much would go to the private operator.

The former presidential candidate further wants the government to disclose how many jobs would be created for Liberians, whether existing jobs could be displaced, how many foreign workers would be employed and what provisions have been made to transfer technical skills to Liberian employees.

Gongloe also raised national security and data-protection concerns, noting that the National Identification System contains sensitive biometric information belonging to Liberian citizens and residents.

He called for clear information on where the biometric data would be stored, who would control access to it and whether Liberia would retain the technical capacity to independently operate and secure the system.

Gongloe stressed that his concerns should not be interpreted as opposition to foreign investment, but rather as a call for any investment agreement to protect Liberia’s national interests, strengthen local capacity and safeguard public revenue and sensitive national data.

“The better model is simple: bring the technology, train Liberians, transfer the skills, protect our revenue and sovereign data, and keep sovereign governmental functions under Liberian control,” Gongloe said.

His comments come as the National Identification Registry seeks legislative review and ratification of the proposed identity infrastructure concession, which NIR authorities say is intended to modernize and expand Liberia’s national identification system.

The proposed agreement is expected to face legislative scrutiny before lawmakers determine whether to approve it.

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