The IMANI Center for Policy and Education has formally submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request to the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, seeking full disclosure on the Government’s upcoming nationwide SIM registration exercise slated for early 2026.
The request, delivered to and acknowledged by the Minister’s secretary, calls for extensive documentation covering the legal, technical, procurement, and institutional frameworks underpinning the new registration regime.
IMANI’s submission was made under Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and the RTI Act, 2019 (Act 989), which guarantee citizens’ right to access information in the interest of transparency and accountability.
The decision comes amid mounting public concern over the cost, governance, and privacy implications of the proposed SIM registration campaign. Particular attention has been drawn to the biometric verification arrangements and the potential role of private vendors in managing sensitive citizen data.
IMANI emphasized that clarity on these issues is essential to safeguard public trust and ensure that the exercise is conducted in line with constitutional rights and international best practices.
The Ministry is yet to respond publicly to the request.
