The Gambian government has announced a temporary halt to the issuance of new National Identity Cards and Driver’s Licenses as it prepares to launch a modernized system under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Margins ID Group.
In a statement released on 9 June 2026, the Office of the Government Spokesperson confirmed that the new system’s “Go-Live Date” has been rescheduled to 29 June 2026. During this three-week pause, the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) and the Gambia Police Force (GPF) will suspend fresh issuances to allow technical teams to back up and synchronize the existing database with the upgraded platform.
Applicants who have already paid through the GovPay portal will still be able to complete their enrolment, while those awaiting cards will receive them once the new system becomes operational.
A key highlight of the rollout is the free replacement of 670,000 valid ID cards, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis within the first six months. The validity of the new National ID cards has also been extended from five years to ten years, doubling their lifespan.
The government expressed regret for any inconvenience caused and appealed for public patience, emphasizing that the suspension is necessary to ensure a smooth and secure transition to the upgraded system.
