NBE Names 17 Unauthorized Hawala and Remittance Operators
On 28 August 2026, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) issued a notice warning the public and diaspora against using 17 unlicensed Hawala networks and money transfer operators. The central bank cautioned that using illegal remittance channels exposes senders and recipients to financial and regulatory risks amidst rising remittance volumes.
The central bank identified the following operators as unauthorized:
| Unauthorized Operator | Unauthorized Operator | Unauthorized Operator |
| Adulis Money Transfer (ADZ) | Amal Express | Amal USA |
| Amana Express | Avanti | Amal Direct |
| Bakal Money Transfer | Jubba Express | Rasmy Pay |
| Ramad Pay / Ramada Pay (Kaah) | Shgey Money Transfer | Taaj Financial Service |
| Tasa Pay | Tawakal Money Services | USwyre |
| World Direct Link | Zola |
The NBE stated that these entities are not authorized by the central bank to provide remittance services to Ethiopia.
NBE warns of financial and regulatory risks
Unauthorized transfers risk financial loss, delays, account restrictions, and legal action for senders and recipients. The NBE currently lists 73 licensed Money Transfer Agencies alongside banks, aligning with previous warnings like those in December 2025.
NBE tells customers to verify providers
The central bank urges customers to verify a provider’s status before sending funds. The NBE maintains an official list of licensed Money Transfer Agencies online and cautions that using unauthorized services exposes users to fraud, financial loss, and legal risks.
Given Ethiopia’s reliance on diaspora remittances, using formal channels remains vital. The NBE previously promoted legal remittance and banking channels through its DEBO remittance awareness campaign. Ultimately, a remittance service’s accessibility does not equal regulatory approval in Ethiopia.