Somalia will launch its first stock exchange, the National Securities Exchange of Somalia (NSES), in early 2026, trading equities and government-issued sukuk bonds to integrate into regional and global financial markets.
The exchange will prioritise telecommunications, banking, real estate, energy, and agriculture companies to drive economic growth.
Yasin Ibar, former Somali Bankers’ Association CEO, is NSES’s chief executive officer. He stated the exchange will enable companies to raise capital, allow investors to support Somalia’s growth, and facilitate economic integration into broader markets.
“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,” he added.
Founded by local investors and financial experts, NSES will operate as a private, self-regulatory organisation, collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to establish a securities policy and legal framework.
As a member of the East African Stock Exchanges Association, NSES aims to enable cross-listings with exchanges in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
NSES will conduct investor education campaigns and roadshows targeting the Somali diaspora in Turkey, Kenya, the UK, Norway, and the US to boost participation.
The launch marks a milestone in Somalia’s post-conflict economic recovery, aiming to diversify funding beyond remittances and aid, attracting domestic and frontier market investors.
Sharia-compliant sukuk bonds align with Somalia’s Muslim-majority population and global Islamic finance trends, appealing to local and regional ethical investors.
Challenges include ensuring transparent governance and robust financial infrastructure to build investor confidence, but optimism surrounds NSES’s potential as a catalyst for Somalia’s economic growth.