Policy think tank IMANI has filed a Right to Information (RTI) request with the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology & Innovations, seeking comprehensive details on the government’s planned nationwide SIM registration exercise scheduled for early 2026.

The request, submitted on December 8, 2025, and acknowledged by the Minister’s office, calls for full disclosure on the legal basis, technological setup, and operational procedures underpinning the upcoming registration programme.

IMANI is asking for documentation outlining the statutory authority for the exercise, the biometric and technical verification systems to be used, procurement processes involved, and the criteria for selecting service providers.

The organisation is also requesting information on supervisory mechanisms and the safeguards being implemented to protect citizens’ personal data and privacy.

Citing ongoing public concerns over transparency, IMANI stressed the need for accountability in the management of biometric information and in partnerships with private vendors.

The think tank referenced Article 21(1)(f) of the Constitution and the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), as grounds for its request, insisting that citizens are entitled to access information held by state agencies.

According to IMANI, the RTI request forms part of its broader effort to ensure that the 2026 SIM registration rollout is transparent, responsibly managed, and aligned with the public interest.