Somalia’s biometric border overhaul signals deeper US engagement

In a move hailed as both technologically significant and strategically vital, Somalia formally launched the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) at key border control points across the country. Backed by the U.S. government, the system marks a major leap in Somalia’s national border management capabilities.

Largely based on biometrics developed by Booz Allen Hamilton, PISCES is active in 23 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and other regions. It is a biometric border control and identity management system that was developed for the Department of State’s Terrorist Interdiction Program in 1997 to screen travelers in real time against domestic and international watchlists. The platform integrates hardware such as facial recognition cameras, fingerprint readers, and passport scanners with software that is capable of detecting document fraud and anomalous travel patterns.

On June 22, Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency (ICA) initiated comprehensive training for Somali immigration officers aimed at building the technical foundation for operating PISCES. The training was held in Mogadishu and conducted by American officials dispatched through the U.S. Embassy, highlighting the intensity of cooperation between Washington and the Somali government in civil infrastructure reform.

The system is used by countries considered high-risk for irregular migration, terrorism, or transnational crime, and is viewed by U.S. officials as a soft power instrument that advances counterterrorism and security goals while supporting partner states in governance modernization.

In Somalia, the system’s rollout is part of a larger modernization plan that includes the launch of a new polycarbonate biometric e-passport, an online visa application platform, and a memorandum of understanding with Interpol to integrate international criminal databases into Somali immigration operations.

According to ICA Director General Mustafe Sheikh Cali Dhuxulow, the new capabilities are not just about adopting new technologies, but about transforming the way Somalia manages identity, mobility, and trust in public institutions. In his remarks opening four-days of PISCES training, Dhuxulow thanked the U.S. government for its longstanding partnership and emphasized Somalia’s commitment to building a secure, credible, and modern migration management system.

A representative of the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu described the training and system deployment as a historic milestone in Somalia’s post-conflict rebuilding efforts. He noted that PISCES is already used worldwide as a frontline defense against border-related threats and that Somalia’s adoption of the system will help it better integrate with the global security architecture.

The U.S. Embassy has taken a lead role in organizing logistics, curriculum development, and technical support for the training, which specifically focused on border security at airports, seaports, and overland checkpoints.

In January, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a Request for Information to support continued operation and maintenance of the Somalia Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), a federal interagency-led effort designed to strengthen Somalia’s capacity for criminal justice and counterterrorism through advanced biometric identification technologies. The FBI said at the time that it aimed to strengthen Somalia’s law enforcement capabilities, ensuring the region’s stability and security through enhanced biometric identification.

Somalia seeks to tighten controls along its historically porous borders which have long been exploited by traffickers, smugglers, and armed groups. With the deployment of PISCES, authorities are now able to verify identities in real time, cross-check travelers against global watchlists, and flag suspicious behavior, all essential functions in an environment where criminal networks often take advantage of weak administrative structures.

The system’s integration with biometric e-passports and digital visa platforms further enhances the Somalia’s ability to detect fraud and assess potential risks before travelers arrive at entry points.

Officials said PISCES is already being deployed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu and will be expanded to cover other ports of entry across Somalia. In addition to supporting border management, the system has implications for law enforcement, immigration processing, and Somalia’s ability to collaborate with international partners on issues ranging from counterterrorism to migration governance.

The government has also stated that the systems will reinforce Somalia’s sovereignty by providing accurate, verifiable data on all individuals entering and exiting the country.

Somalia’s integration of PISCES is not an isolated case. The system has been deployed across multiple African nations over the last two decades, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Djibouti.

In Kenya, PISCES has been used since the early 2000s at major international airports where it has reportedly improved processing times and helped prevent the entry of individuals flagged in terrorism or criminal databases. A 2021 study examining the use of PISCES in Kenya found that immigration officers experienced increased efficiency and reduced identity fraud due to the system’s biometric verification capabilities.

Ethiopia and Tanzania have adopted PISCES under similar U.S.-backed agreements, with varying degrees of transparency in implementation. In Burkina Faso, the system was deployed as part of broader U.S. assistance programs tied to regional counterterrorism objectives.

In May, 2024, Tajikistan and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Tajik Prosecutor-General’s Office and the Department of State on Tajikistan’s deployment of PISCES.

What sets Somalia’s implementation of PISCES apart is the comprehensive, public-facing rollout that links biometric controls to an overarching state modernization agenda. In contrast to earlier adoptions that focused narrowly on security, Somalia’s use of PISCES is situated within a framework of governance reform, citizen service improvement, and institutional trust-building.

The biometric e-passport, for example, aligns with International Civil Aviation Organization standards, offering Somali citizens an internationally recognized form of identification. The digital visa system aims to streamline travel while reducing opportunities for fraud, another common vulnerability in countries emerging from conflict.

This layered approach reflects not only evolving security priorities, but also growing recognition of the role identity infrastructure plays in economic development, international mobility, and human rights.

A senior U.S. official involved in the program noted that the systems deployed in Somalia “save lives, stop crimes, and build trust in institutions.” These are not marginal benefits, especially for a country like Somalia where government legitimacy has long been undermined by instability and weak service delivery.

The implications extend beyond Somalia’s borders. The Horn of Africa remains a critical nexus for migration flows, terrorism, and international shipping routes. With Somalia’s new capabilities, regional coordination efforts through organizations like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development or the African Union’s border governance initiatives may see improved data sharing and more unified enforcement practices.

In fact, Somalia’s recent agreement with Interpol to integrate global law enforcement databases into its border systems suggests that it is positioning itself as a cooperative regional actor, not just a security recipient.

Critics of PISCES have long raised concerns about privacy, data protection, and the risk of external surveillance in host countries. These debates have intensified in places where civil liberties frameworks are weak or where system oversight is ambiguous. However, Somali officials have indicated that the implementation includes policies for responsible data use, supported by capacity-building from U.S. and international agencies.

Whether those safeguards are sufficient remains to be seen, but the government’s willingness to speak publicly about the system and its uses represents a shift from the opacity that has surrounded past biometric deployments in the region.

The broader U.S.–Somalia partnership under which PISCES was delivered signals a shift in American engagement, from primarily military and intelligence-based assistance to investment in civilian and governance-focused systems.

The State Department’s involvement underscores that the U.S. views border security as integral to peacebuilding, economic recovery, and counterterrorism, and not just as a military concern. For Somalia, it is an opportunity to build a modern state apparatus that meets international expectations while addressing long-standing internal vulnerabilities.

Somalia’s adoption of PISCES is more than a technical upgrade. It represents a pivotal moment in the country’s post-conflict governance strategy, one that combines biometric technologies, international cooperation, and institutional reform. By embedding these tools in a broader modernization plan supported by trusted partners and publicly accountable leadership, Somalia is taking tangible steps toward reclaiming control over its borders and restoring the public’s trust in its institutions.

Article Topics

Africa  |  biometric identification  |  biometrics  |  border security  |  Interpol  |  Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES)  |  Somalia  |  U.S. Government  |  United States