Somalia Launches Its First Stock Exchange in Mogadishu

Key Highlights

• Somalia inaugurates its first stock exchange, the National Securities Exchange of Somalia (NSES), in Mogadishu.

• NSES will start trading in early 2026, focusing on stocks and sukuk, with support from the Ministry of Finance and Central Bank.

• The exchange aims to deepen financial inclusion, attract diaspora capital, and integrate Somalia into East African markets.

Somalia launched its first stock exchange on June 19, 2025, marking a milestone in its economic rebuilding efforts. The National Securities Exchange of Somalia (NSES), headquartered in Mogadishu, will offer local companies a new channel to raise capital and diversify investment opportunities for citizens and the diaspora.

Set up by private investors and financial experts, NSES will operate as a private, self-regulated entity, working in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance to develop a legal and regulatory framework for securities trading.

The exchange plans to begin operations in early 2026, initially offering stocks and sukuk (Islamic bonds). Government-issued sukuk will be used to finance infrastructure and development projects, while key sectors—telecoms, banking, real estate, and energy—are expected to lead listings.

“NSES will create opportunities for companies to access capital, for investors to support Somalia’s growth, and for our economy to integrate effectively into regional and global markets,” said Yasin M. Ibar, the newly appointed CEO and former director of the Somali Bankers Association.

The Central Bank of Somalia has pledged technical support and regulatory guidance to ensure transparency and build trust. “We aim to create a financial system that is stable, inclusive, and aligned with international standards,” said Deputy Governor Ali Yassin Sheikh Ali.

To build public trust and participation, NSES will launch financial education campaigns targeting local communities and the Somali diaspora in the UK, US, Norway, Turkey, and Kenya.

As a member of the East African Stock Exchanges Association, NSES aims to collaborate with financial hubs in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, positioning Somalia as an emerging player in the regional capital market.

Source: Ecofin Agency