SOMAPA, one of Asia’s leading technology-providing institutions, is in Liberia providing three-day intensive IT training for officials of the Government of Liberia (GOL) in modern border modernization, eborder solution, passenger name record system, external data interface, risk assessment module, permit registration system, among others.
SOMAPA IT has been around for thirty years providing solutions in border management around the globe.
This group’s vision is to be the global leader in innovation border management solutions, delivering cutting-edge border management technology and solutions that set global standards for security, efficiency and facilitation. Through collaboration and expertise, they empower their partners to achieve their border modernization goals with confidence and trust.
Following the visitation of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) Deputy Commissioner General for Operations to Thailand, Asia, in 2024, SOMAPA IT arrived to assist the LIS in its border management needs.
During the LIS Deputy Commissioner for Operations visit, an agreement was signed between SOMAPA IT and the LIS.
Providing the overview of the on-going three-day intensive advanced technology training, Nigel Manns, Executive Vice President for Global Engagement at SOMAPA IT, noted that his group came to Liberia to help the Government of Liberia (GOL) in project planning and management, system design and architecture, software development and integration, data security and privacy compliance, testing and quality assurance, maintenance and support, project investment, among other initiatives to be implemented by them in Liberia.
The role and responsibility of the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) in the implementation of the agreement are as follows: Policy and legal framework, strategic oversight and governance, stakeholder management and coordination, data ownership and security governance, public communication, among others.
Liberia eBorder objective is central hub for monitoring, decision making, coordination, and response across institutions or operation activities.
Risk assessment, according to SOMAPA IT group, is a decision support tool used to identify, assess and monitor potential threat and risk for security agencies and immigration associated with passengers based on the passenger personal information, travel history, behavior pattern, and other data sources.
External Data Interface according to information gathered from SOMAPA IT, is a critical system component designed to enable secure, structure, and standardized exchange of data between internal system and external entities.
The Passenger Name Record System is a modern centralized, automated platform used by governments and border control authorities to collect, sure, process, and analyze passenger data submitted by airlines.
Permit Registration support secure, efficient, and transparent border and migration management. It replaces fragmented, paper-based processes with a unified digital platform.
For his part, the LIS Commissioner General-designated, Elijah Rufus, expressed the Government of Liberia’s unwavering support and sponsorship to SOMAPA IT group. He said the group’s technical expertise and continued partnership is valuable to the Government of Liberia (GOL) in the journey to smarter, more resilient border management system.
The LIS boss stated that Liberia’s border is very important for enhancing security, efficiency, and economic development.
He encouraged participants at the workshop to see the on-going training as an opportunity to collaborate, exchange ideas, and develop a sustainable framework for a secure and financially robust border system in the country.
The on-going three-day intensive advanced technology training brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Justice, Liberia Civil Aviation Authority, Liberia Revenue Authority, Liberia National Police, National Security Agency, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Liberia Immigration Service, among others.
