By Ndey Sowe
The Ministry of Interior has announced the nationwide rollout schedule for the new National Identity Card, with a pilot registration exercise beginning this month before continuous registration starts across the country in August.
The announcement follows the official launch of the new National Identity Card by President Adama Barrow on 1 July 2026, marking the start of a new national identity management system.
In a press release issued after the launch, the ministry said the rollout would begin with “a structured pilot phase, followed by nationwide continuous registration to ensure an orderly, efficient and accessible enrolment process for all eligible applicants.”
The pilot exercise will begin with personnel of the Gambia Immigration Department from 6 to 10 July 2026.
Registration for Notaries Public, including Justices of the Peace, will follow from 13 to 17 July 2026.
Seyfolu and Alkalolu will register between 18 and 29 July 2026, while selected institutions and designated authorities responsible for vouching for applicants will participate from 20 to 29 July 2026.
According to the ministry, nationwide continuous registration will officially commence on 4 August 2026 at designated registration centres across the country.
To improve access to the new identification system, the ministry said regional mobile registration teams “will also operate throughout the country to serve communities beyond the fixed registration centres.”
The ministry also announced that the new National Identity Card will become a requirement for obtaining a new driver’s licence.
It stated that “possession of the new National Identity Card will be a prerequisite for the issuance of a new Driver’s Licence.”
Foreign nationals residing in The Gambia will also be required to obtain the new Resident, Alien or Non-Gambian Identity Card before applying for or renewing a driver’s licence.
Launching the new identity card on 1 July, President Adama Barrow described the initiative as a key step in modernising the country’s identity management system.
“The National Identity Card is more than just a document. It is a gateway to accessing government services, strengthening national security and supporting our digital transformation agenda,” the President said during the launch.
He said the new system is designed to provide a secure and reliable means of identification while improving the delivery of public services and promoting efficient governance.
The Ministry of Interior has urged eligible Gambians and foreign residents to participate in the registration exercise according to the announced schedule as the country transitions to the new identity card system.
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