HARGEISA, Somaliland – The Central Bank of Somaliland (CBS) has issued a firm denial of any involvement in the financial collection of Somalia’s e-visa fees, seeking to quell public speculation and protect the integrity of its national financial system.
In an official press release dated November 13, 2025, the Bank clarified that the agreement for the controversial e-visa service is registered in Somalia and utilizes an international payment gateway unaffiliated with Somaliland’s financial institutions.
”The e-visa service agreement is registered in Somalia, and the Premier Bank of Somaliland has no role in this matter,” the statement read, emphasizing that all banks under its purview “operate under the financial laws and regulations of Somaliland.”
The clarification comes amid ongoing political disputes over airspace management between Somaliland and Somalia. The Bank noted that these tensions have spilled onto social media, sparking “public debates concerning the transfer of illegal remittance funds for the e-visa fee imposed by Somalia.”
In a subsequent notice, the Central Bank issued a strong warning to the public and media. “We warn citizens writing on social media and the media in general to refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations,” the Bank stated, urging anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to contact official legal institutions instead.
Reiterating its core mandate, the CBS affirmed its “determination to maintain the integrity, stability, and transparency of the country’s financial system.” It further announced that it is actively developing plans to more clearly distinguish between financial institutions operating within Somaliland and those in neighboring countries.
The Bank concluded by calling for responsibility and patriotic zeal from all sectors of society, asserting that this is crucial to strengthening the confidence of both citizens and foreign investors in Somaliland’s financial system.
