NBE Warns Public Against Illegal Hawala and Unlicensed Remittance Operators
Ethiopia’s central bank says users of illegal hawala networks and unlicensed money-transfer agents risk financial loss and legal or regulatory consequences.
In short
- Ethiopia’s central bank says users of illegal hawala networks and unlicensed money-transfer agents risk financial loss and legal or regulatory consequences.
The National Bank of Ethiopia warned the public on August 28, 2026, not to send or receive money through illegal hawala networks or unlicensed money-transfer agents.
The central bank said transactions through unauthorized operators can expose both senders and recipients to financial losses as well as legal and regulatory consequences. The warning places responsibility on remittance users to verify that a provider is licensed before transferring funds.
The notice is particularly relevant to Ethiopians sending money across borders, where informal channels may appear convenient but operate outside the protections and oversight applied to authorized remittance services.
