CBL, NIR Suspend Mandatory National ID Requirement for Banking Transactions

Monrovia, Liberia: In a major policy shift aimed at easing access to financial services, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the National Identification Registry (NIR) have jointly suspended the mandatory use of the National Identification Card for all banking transactions across the country.

The suspension comes in response to growing public concerns over limited access to ID services and the resulting difficulties citizens face when attempting to carry out basic financial operations.

According to an official directive issued Monday, all commercial banks are now instructed to temporarily halt the enforcement of the National ID requirement as a condition for customers to deposit, withdraw, or access other financial services.

The announcement was further backed by a formal communication from the Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Johnny S. Tarkpah, who confirmed that the suspension of ID requirements is part of ongoing administrative adjustments within the National Identification Registry.

Minister Tarkpah also disclosed that the issuance of new National Identification Cards has been put on hold with immediate effect. No new IDs will be processed until further notice, and the public will be informed when mass registration and issuance resume.

The decision is expected to bring temporary relief to thousands of Liberians who have been unable to obtain or renew their National ID cards but still need to engage with banks and other financial institutions for their daily transactions.

Both the CBL and NIR emphasized the importance of customer convenience and urged all public and private institutions, especially financial service providers, to strictly comply with the new directive.

Social service providers and government agencies that previously required the National ID for service delivery are also being advised to ease restrictions and await further instructions.

The CBL assured the public that while the suspension is temporary, long-term plans are in place to improve access to identification services and ensure a more seamless integration of the national ID system across sectors.

This latest development follows months of complaints from citizens, especially in rural areas, who have been unable to access financial services due to the ID requirement amid technical and logistical challenges at the NIR.

Authorities say the move is part of a broader effort to review and reform the implementation of national ID policies to better serve the needs of the population.