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ADDIS ABABA — The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) has officially published a list of unauthorized money transfer operators and illicit hawala networks, issuing a stern warning to the public and the Ethiopian diaspora to cease using unapproved channels for remittances.
According to a statement released by the central bank, engaging in illegal remittance schemes violates Ethiopian law. The NBE warned that sending or receiving funds via unapproved entities exposes customers to severe financial losses, transaction delays, bank account freezes, and direct legal liability. With inbound remittance flows steadily growing, the regulator emphasized that individuals must rely exclusively on authorized financial institutions to protect both senders and recipients from legal and administrative penalties.
The NBE identified 17 unlicensed remittance operators currently operating outside the regulatory framework:
- Adulis Money Transfer
- Amal Express
- Amal USA
- Amana Express
- Avanti
- Awash Direct
- Bakal Money Transfer
- Juba Express
- Rasmi Pay
- Remad Pay (Remada Pay Kah)
- Shigey Money Transfer
- Taaj Financial Services
- Tasa Pay
- Tawakal Money Services
- US Wire
- World Direct Link
- Zola
The central bank advises customers to verify that their chosen remittance provider appears on the NBE’s official list of licensed financial institutions before initiating any cross-border transfers.
