Hormuud Telecom Receives GSMA Re-Certification

Somalian telecoms operator, Hormuud Telecom, has been re-certified by the GSMA Mobile Money Certification programme.

This milestone places EVC Plus, Somalia’s mobile money platform, among just ten services globally to meet the GSMA’s rigorous standards. Hormuud joins leading fintech players, including Safaricom M-PESA, Vodacom M-PESA, and MTN MoMo, in being awarded the certification.

Originally certified in 2022, Hormuud’s renewed status reinforces both its technical capability and its ability to operate at scale with transparency and security. The GSMA Mobile Money Certification is based on independent assessments across 8 core principles and nearly 300 criteria, including fraud prevention, customer data protection, and operational resilience.

EVC Plus stands among a select group of mobile money services globally to achieve GSMA Mobile Money Certification, including Safaricom, Vodacom and MTN, underscoring its role in advancing safe, inclusive, and trusted digital finance on the continent.

Speaking on this re-certification, Mohamed Farah, CEO of Hormuud Telecom, said that it is a clear sign that Somalia is open for business.

“EVC Plus is deeply embedded in everyday life, helping people pay bills, supporting small businesses, and enabling humanitarian aid to reach those who need it most. It works everywhere, for everyone,” Farah said. “As we increase smartphone adoption and drive forward 5G connectivity, this certification gives us a secure foundation. It enables further innovation and strengthens trust, both with our users and our international partners.

With mobile money use far outpacing traditional banking, EVC Plus has become the financial backbone of the Somali economy. According to a World Bank report, Somalia records approximately 155 million mobile money transactions each month, worth an estimated $2.7 billion, with nearly three-quarters of the population aged 16+ using mobile money.

EVC Plus, Somalia’s first mobile money platform, is used by over 4.5 million Somalis for daily transactions, and by more than 145 NGOs to distribute humanitarian cash aid across the country. For investors, regulators and NGOs, it offers a trusted benchmark of the sector’s maturity and integrity, and that controls are in place to transact securely.

The re-certification comes as Hormuud sets sights on expanding smartphone adoption, whilst accelerating its nationwide 5G rollout. Together, these efforts will lay the groundwork for a digitally inclusive, cashless economy, underpinned by systems that are trusted, certified, and built to meet international standards.