$1.86B to Fund NIDS Implementation in 2026/27 Fiscal Year
By: , February 25, 2026
Photo: JIS File
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (right), displays his national identification card during the official launch of the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) at the NIRA Centre, Central Sorting Office (CSO) in Kingston. Looking on is Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Delroy Chuck.The Full Story
A total of $1.86 billion will be allocated in fiscal year 2026/27 to continue implementing the National Identification System (NIDS) for Economic Growth Project.
Details of the project are outlined in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which were recently tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams.
The Project aims to deliver a secure, reliable and unique means of verifying individual identity.
In the upcoming fiscal year, the programme will complete modifications and establish wide area network connections for 19 enrolment sites, as well as finalise the Registrar General’s Department’s web portal for e-wallet and digital birth certificates.
The programme will also continue supporting the National Identification and Registration Act (NIRA) by expanding enrolment coverage, executing the NIDS communication strategy, and maintaining and updating the National Identification System.
Up to December 2025, programme achievements included the enactment of the National Identification and Registration Act, acquisition and installation of equipment for the NIDS Data Centre, commencement of work at 17 designated enrolment sites, and digitisation of more than 2.2 million records from the Registrar General’s Office.
Additionally, phase one of the NIDS went live; formal partnerships were established with the Jamaica Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Authority, Jamaica Post, and the Registrar General’s Office to support implementation; and the card personalisation system was completed.
Work was also undertaken to upgrade the ICT Authority Data Centre, with the project now 90 per cent complete.
As an electronic form of identification, NIDS will establish a comprehensive and secure database to capture and store the personal information of citizens and non nationals residing in Jamaica.
The Office of the Prime Minister is implementing the National Identification for Economic Growth Project with funding from the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
