Somalia’s New Stock Exchange Boosts Economy.
Somalia has launched its first-ever national stock exchange, signalling a bold step away from decades of instability and toward market-led growth and financial inclusion.
The launch of the National Securities Exchange of Somalia (NSES) is being hailed as a major milestone in the country’s journey to rebuild institutions and reframe its image as a frontier of opportunity rather than crisis.
On June 19, the bourse was officially unveiled in Mogadishu, offering a platform for trading equities and Sharia-compliant Sukuk bonds. The exchange is expected to start live trading in early 2026, initially targeting listings from sectors such as banking, telecoms, real estate, and energy.
Just this April, Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia’s largest telco, completed a record-setting share sale that drew over US$300 million in subscriptions, validating market appetite for well-established state-owned enterprises.
In both countries, stock exchanges are part of wider market liberalisation strategies. Ethiopia has begun privatising state assets and signalling openness to foreign land ownership. Somalia’s exchange adds momentum to a similar reform push, coming on the back of macroeconomic achievements like HIPC debt relief and the lifting of decades-old sanctions.
The exchange also hopes to tap into the vast Somali diaspora, whose remittances are estimated to exceed US$1.3 billion annually, according to the World Bank. This is more than the total sum for humanitarian aid to the country, which reaches US$800 million at its highest.
Only 14 companies went public across Africa in 2023, raising about US$1.3 billion, according to the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA). In comparison, India, another fast-growing economy, had 57 new listings that brought in over US$7 billion during the same period.
Source: Newscentralafrica