IPNEWS: A coalition of Liberian-owned technology firms—led by MWENTANA Consultant and Technology Group, Lake Piso Solutions, and Dynamic Global Technologies—has publicly expressed disappointment with Liberia’s National Identification Registry (NIR) over a proposed US$52 million to US$54 million concession agreement with the Austrian State Printing House (OeSD).
The local firms argue that the NIR is prioritizing a foreign entity to manage the country’s National Identification Card System while overlooking capable domestic businesses.
Key Objections from Liberian Tech Firms
The local coalition told Liberian lawmakers that domestic firms can build and deliver a modern biometric identification system for less than US$20 million, significantly lower than the US$52–54 million price tag proposed for the OeSD contract.
The companies emphasized their established track records providing similar biometric and IT infrastructure services to major Liberian institutions, including the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP), Civil Service Agency (CSA), and National Elections Commission (NEC)
Local stakeholders raised alarms that a build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangement with a foreign concessionaire jeopardizes local tech jobs, reduces national revenue retention (amid scrutiny over a reported 65-35 revenue-sharing structure), and puts sensitive citizen biometric data at risk.
The National Identification Registry’s Response
The NIR has rejected the claims that the system is being handed over to a foreign entity. Officials described the deal as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) where OeSD provides technical solutions and upfront financing, while the Liberian government retains 100% ownership and control over all citizen records and biometric data.
Following an extended shutdown of ID issuance since mid-2025, the NIR stated that the partnership is necessary to modernize ICT infrastructure, integrate the National ID System with the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, and enroll all citizens and legal residents within 18 months.
The agency defended its use of a sole-source concession approach under the amended Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) Act of 2026, noting that a presidential steering committee oversaw the process prior to the agreement’s submission to the Legislature for ratification in July 2026.
