Economics Card

Economic Costs and Indicators in Somalia

Customer Deposits in East African Banks – 2025

Customer deposits held in commercial banks in four East African countries.

Country

Customer Deposits (USD)

Somalia

US$1.63 billion

Kenya

US$47.4 billion

Uganda

US$12.0 billion

Tanzania

US$20.1 billion

Key finding: Customer deposits in Kenyan banks were approximately 29 times higher than those in Somali banks in 2025. Somalia recorded the lowest customer deposits among the four countries.

Source: Central Banks of Somalia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (2025).

SRA Publication Date: 18/10/2026

Minimum Capital Required to Open a Bank in Somalia

Minimum capital requirements for Somali-owned commercial banks and foreign bank branches operating in Somalia.

Bank Type

Minimum Capital Requirement

Somali-owned commercial bank

Over US$7 million

Foreign bank branch

Over US$20 million

Key finding: Foreign bank branches face a substantially higher minimum capital requirement than Somali-owned commercial banks.

Source: Central Bank of Somalia (CBS), Banking Licensing Regulation, 2022.

SRA Publication Date: 14/10/2026

Security Deposit Required to Open a Bank in Somalia

Security deposit requirements for Somali-owned and foreign-owned commercial banks.

Bank Type

Required Security Deposit

Somali-owned commercial bank

US$1.5 million

Foreign-owned commercial bank

US$3 million

Key finding: Foreign-owned commercial banks are required to maintain twice the security deposit required of Somali-owned commercial banks.

Source: Central Bank of Somalia (CBS), Banking Licensing Regulation, 2022.

SRA Publication Date: 13/10/2026

Somalia’s Government Water & Electricity Expenses

Comparison of Federal Government expenditure on water, electricity and related services in 2024 and 2025.

Year

Total Expenditure

2024

US$5.76 million

2025

US$6.87 million

Increase

19.3%

Key finding: Somalia’s Federal Government spent approximately US$1.11 million more on water, electricity and related services in 2025 than in 2024, representing a 19.3% increase.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Performance Reports (2024 and 2025).

SRA Publication Date: 12/10/2026

Cost of Bottled Water in East Africa

Price of Dasani bottled water (500 ml) at selected supermarkets in four East African countries.

Country

Product

Price (USD)

Somalia

Dasani 500 ml

$0.25

Kenya

Dasani 500 ml

$0.26

Uganda

Dasani 500 ml

$0.29

Tanzania

Dasani 500 ml

$0.23

Key finding: Among the four countries surveyed, Tanzania had the lowest reported price at $0.23, while Uganda had the highest at $0.29.

Source: SRA market check at major supermarkets in each capital city, October 2026.

SRA Publication Date: 12/10/2026

Wedding Hall Meal Prices in Mogadishu

Reported meal prices per person at wedding halls in Mogadishu, according to the price category of the hall.

Wedding Hall Category

Meal Price per Person

Lower-priced halls

$10–$11

Mid-priced halls

$12–$13

Higher-priced halls

$16–$18

Key finding: Wedding hall meal prices in Mogadishu range from $10 to $18 per person, depending on the hall, menu and services included.

Source: SRA Market Check, Mogadishu, October 2026 SRA publication date: 03/10/2026

Murabaha Financing Profit Margins in Somali Banks

Reported annual profit margins charged by selected Somali banks on Murabaha financing.

Profit Margin Category

Annual Profit Margin

Lowest

6%

Average

8%

Highest

12%

Key finding: Reported annual Murabaha profit margins range from 6% to 12%, with an average of approximately 8%. Rates vary by bank, financing amount and customer profile.

Source: SRA Market Check with Selected Somali Banks, October 2026 SRA publication date: 03/10/2026

Somalia vs Ethiopia: Reported Airspace Revenue

Reported revenue generated from aircraft using the airspace of Somalia and Ethiopia in 2025.

Country Reported Airspace Revenue
Ethiopia ≈$24.5 million
Somalia $19.9 million

Key finding: Ethiopia reported approximately $4.6 million more airspace revenue than Somalia.

Period note: Somalia – calendar year 2025; Ethiopia – financial year ending in 2025.

Source: Somalia Ministry of Finance; Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority
SRA publication date: 02/10/2026

Somalia Airspace Revenue

Revenue collected from fees paid by aircraft flying through Somali airspace.

Year Airspace Revenue
2024 $22.1 million
2025 $19.9 million

Key finding: Somalia collected approximately $2.2 million less in airspace revenue in 2025, representing a decrease of about 10% compared with 2024.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2025 End-Year Budget Performance Report
SRA publication date: 01/10/2026

Seafood Export Tax Revenue

Full-year revenue collected by the Federal Government from taxes on seafood exports.

Year Seafood Export Tax Revenue
2024 $20,000
2025 $30,000

Key finding: Seafood export-tax revenue increased by $10,000, equivalent to a 50% increase from 2024 to 2025.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2024 and 2025 End-Year Budget Performance Reports
SRA publication date: 23/09/2026

Government Revenue from Court Filing Fees

Fees collected from cases or legal documents filed in court.

Year Court Filing Fee Revenue
2024 $1.03 million
2025 $990,000

Key finding: Government revenue from court filing fees decreased by approximately 4.1%, with about $40,000 less collected in 2025 than in 2024.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2024 and 2025 End-Year Budget Performance Reports
SRA publication date: 28/09/2026

Agricultural Export Tax Revenue

Full-year revenue collected by the Federal Government from taxes on agricultural exports.

Year Agricultural export-tax revenue
2024 $434,889
2025 $165,527

Key finding: Agricultural export-tax revenue decreased by approximately 62%, with $269,362 less collected in 2025 than in 2024.

Source: Federal Government of Somalia, 2025 Annual Financial Report
SRA publication date: 27/09/2026

Seafood Export Tax Revenue

Full-year revenue collected by the Federal Government from taxes on seafood exports.

Year Seafood export-tax revenue
2024 $20,000
2025 $30,000

Key finding: Seafood export-tax revenue increased by $10,000, equivalent to a 50% increase from 2024 to 2025.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2024 and 2025 Mid-Year Budget Performance Reports
SRA publication date: 23/09/2026

Government Revenue from Driving Licence Fees

Full-year revenue collected by the Federal Government from new and renewed driving licence fees.

Year Driving licence-fee revenue
2024 $970,000
2025 $1,430,000

Key finding: Revenue from driving licence fees increased by 46.5%, from approximately $970,000 in 2024 to $1.43 million in 2025.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2024 and 2025 End-Year Budget Performance Reports
SRA publication date: 24/09/2026

Livestock Export Tax Revenue

Full-year revenue collected by the Federal Government from taxes on livestock exports.

Year Livestock export-tax revenue
2024 $150,000
2025 $50,000

Key finding: Livestock export-tax revenue decreased by 64.9%, with approximately $100,000 less collected in 2025.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2024 and 2025 End-Year Budget Performance Reports
SRA publication date: 22/09/2026

Government Revenue from Passport Fees

Full-year revenue collected by the Federal Government from passport fees.

Year Passport-fee revenue
2024 Approximately $10.1 million
2025 Approximately $10.5 million

Key finding: Passport-fee revenue increased by 3.8%, with $381,468 more collected in 2025.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2025 Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements
SRA publication date: 27/09/2026

Ship Arrivals at Mogadishu Port

Number of ships arriving at Mogadishu Port during the first six months of each year.

Year Ship arrivals Monthly average
2025 114 19
2026 120 20

Key finding: Ship arrivals increased by 5.3%, from 114 in 2025 to 120 in 2026.

Period: January–June
Source: Federal Ministry of Finance and IMF PortWatch
SRA publication date: 18/09/2026

Government Revenue from Mogadishu Port Fees

Full-year government revenue from Harbour Fees–Albayrak and Customs Harbour Fees combined.

Year Harbour Fees–Albayrak Customs Harbour Fees Total port-fee revenue
2024 $28,200,000 $7,070,000 $35,270,000
2025 $38,080,000 $6,780,000 $44,860,000

Key finding: Port-fee revenue increased by 27.2%, with approximately $9,590,000 more collected in 2025.

The figures are full-year actual revenue. The 2025 report records $38.08 million from Harbour Fees–Albayrak and $6.78 million from Customs Harbour Fees.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2024 and 2025 End-Year Budget Performance Reports
SRA publication date: 21/09/2026

Government Revenue from Visa Fees

Full-year revenue collected by the Federal Government of Somalia from visa fees.

Year Visa-fee revenue
2024 Approximately $8,260,000
2025 Approximately $8,520,000

Key finding: Visa-fee revenue increased by 3.2%—about 3%—in 2025. The published figures are rounded, but they indicate an increase of approximately $260,000.

Source: Federal Ministry of Finance, 2024 and 2025 End-Year Budget Performance Reports
SRA publication date: 20/09/2026

Somalia–Türkiye Trade

Reported merchandise trade between Türkiye and Somalia, measured in US dollars.

Trade Flow Reported Value
Türkiye’s exports to Somalia $317 million
Somalia’s exports to Türkiye Below $2 million

Key finding: Türkiye exports more than 158 times as much to Somalia as Somalia exports to Türkiye. The reported trade gap is more than $315 million.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA)
SRA publication date: 15 May 2026


2026 Annual Budgets Across Somali Administrations

Approved or announced annual budgets of selected Somali administrations for 2026, measured in millions of US dollars.

Administration 2026 Annual Budget
Somaliland $459 million
Puntland $315.7 million
Banadir $101.3 million
Jubaland $69.1 million
Galmudug $49.7 million
Hirshabelle $44.4 million
South West $39.1 million
North East $15.0 million

Key finding: Somaliland has the largest reported budget at $459 million, while North East has the smallest at $15 million.

Source: Respective administrations
SRA publication date: June 2026


Passenger Service Charges at Aden Adde International Airport

Passenger service charges for international departures and domestic flights from Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, measured in US dollars.

Flight Category Passenger Category Charge
International departure Adults travelling on regional and other carriers $70
International departure Adults travelling on global carriers, such as Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways $55
International departure Children under 12 $30
Domestic flight Adults and children on all local flights $7

Key finding: The international departure charge ranges from $30 to $70, while the domestic passenger charge is $7. Departure fees are automatically included in the airline ticket price; no cash payment is required at the gate.

Source: Somali Civil Aviation Authority, Aeronautical Information Publication (SCAA AIP)
SRA publication date: 14 July 2026


Licensed Commercial Banks: Somalia, Kenya & Ethiopia (2026)

Number of licensed commercial banks operating in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia in 2026.

Country

Licensed Commercial Banks

Kenya

38

Ethiopia

31

Somalia

15

Key finding: Kenya has the highest number of licensed commercial banks among the three countries, with 38 banks, followed by Ethiopia with 31 and Somalia with 15.

Source: Central Banks of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia

SRA publication date: 22/07/2026

Mogadishu Apartment Rent Cost by Zone

Reported apartment rental prices in different zones of Mogadishu.

Mogadishu Zone

Reported Rent (USD)

Waberi Zone

$300–$350

B. Xubey Zone

$350–$500

Hodon Zone

$500–$1,000

Bakara Zone

$200–$300

Key finding: Reported apartment rents in Mogadishu range from $200 to $1,000, depending on the zone. Hodon has the highest reported rental range, while Bakara has the lowest among the four zones.

Source: SRA

Household Electricity Prices in Selected Regional Cities

Reported household electricity prices in Mogadishu, Nairobi and Addis Ababa, measured in US dollars per kilowatt-hour.

City Price per kWh
Mogadishu $0.41
Nairobi $0.16
Addis Ababa $0.024

Key finding: Electricity in Mogadishu is approximately 17 times as expensive as in Addis Ababa and about 2.6 times as expensive as in Nairobi.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA)
SRA publication date: 17 July 2026


2026 Regional GDP Growth Projections

Projected real gross domestic product growth for Somalia and selected neighbouring countries in 2026.

Country Projected Real GDP Growth
Ethiopia 9.2%
Kenya 4.5%
Somalia 2.6%

Key finding: Somalia’s projected growth rate is the lowest among the three countries. Ethiopia’s projected rate is more than three times Somalia’s rate.

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
SRA publication date: 20 July 2026


Approved Government Budgets for 2026

Approved national government budgets for Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya in 2026, measured in US dollars.

Country Approved Budget
Kenya $37.0 billion
Ethiopia $14.7 billion
Somalia $1.38 billion

Key finding: Kenya’s approved budget is approximately 27 times Somalia’s budget, while Ethiopia’s is approximately 11 times Somalia’s budget.

Source: Respective governments
SRA publication date: 20 July 2026


Remittances and Food Imports in Somalia

Comparison of annual remittance inflows and the value of food imports in Somalia, measured in US dollars.

Economic Flow Reported Value
Remittances received $2.0 billion
Food imports $2.2 billion
Difference $0.2 billion ($200 million)

Key finding: Somalia spends approximately $200 million more on food imports than it receives in remittances.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA)
SRA publication date: 12 August 2026


Khat Prices in Mogadishu

Reported retail prices for selected khat portions in Mogadishu, measured in US dollars.

Khat Portion Previous Price Reported Price
Jad Marduf $40 $50
Qayb — $25
Rubac — $13
Niic — $7
Wab — $4
Garabo $1 $1.50

Key finding: The price of Jad Marduf increased by $10, or 25%, while the price of Garabo increased by $0.50, or 50%.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA), market-price observations
SRA publication date: 1 September 2026


Ship Arrivals at Mogadishu Port

Number of ships arriving at Mogadishu Port during the first six months of 2025 and 2026.

Period Total Ship Arrivals Monthly Average
First six months of 2025 114 19
First six months of 2026 120 20

Key finding: Ship arrivals increased by 5.3%, from an average of 19 ships per month in 2025 to 20 ships per month in 2026. Continued dependence on imported goods causes substantial amounts of money to leave the country.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA), calculation based on reported port-arrival data
SRA publication date: 18 September 2026

Cost of Eating Out Across Somali Cities

Average cost of a basic restaurant meal consisting of a plate of rice, meat (suqar), and a soft drink in selected Somali cities.

City Average Meal Price
Mogadishu $4.50
Garowe $4.20
Hargeisa $4.00
Kismayo $3.80
Baidoa $3.50
Jowhar $3.20

Key finding: Mogadishu had the highest average price at $4.50, while Jowhar had the lowest at $3.20. A basic meal cost $1.30 more in Mogadishu than in Jowhar.

Note: Prices are average estimates from ordinary restaurants and may vary by location, restaurant type and market conditions.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA)
Date: 10/08/2026

Bajaj Drivers in Mogadishu – Key Findings

Selected working, education and income characteristics of Bajaj drivers in Mogadishu.

Indicator Finding
Working hours 12–15 hours/day
Drivers with a bachelor’s degree 22%
Daily income $10–$15/day

Key finding: Approximately 65% of surveyed Bajaj drivers own their vehicles, while 35% operate rented Bajajs.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA), A Closer Look at Bajaj Drivers in Mogadishu-Somalia

How Bajaj Drivers Financed Their Vehicles

Sources of financing used by Bajaj drivers to purchase their vehicles, based on the SRA Bajaj Drivers Survey 2026.

Source of financing Percentage
Own money / family support 81%
Bank loan 19%

Key finding: Most Bajaj drivers (81%) purchased their vehicles using their own money or support from family, while only 19% used bank loans.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA), Bajaj Drivers Survey 2026
SRA publication date: 30/08/2026

Electricity Prices in Selected Somali Cities
Reported household electricity prices in selected Somali cities, measured in USD per kWh.

City Price per kWh
Mogadishu $0.41
Hargeysa $0.55
Laascaanood $0.58
Garoowe $0.59
Jowhar $0.60
Kismayo $0.79
Baydhabo $0.90
Dhuusomareb $1.00

Key finding: Dhuusomareb recorded the highest reported price at $1.00/kWh, while Mogadishu recorded the lowest at $0.41/kWh.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA)
Date: 23/02/2026

Household Tap Water Prices by City

Reported household tap-water prices in selected Somali cities, measured in US dollars per cubic metre (1 m³).

City Price per 1 m³
Dhuusomareb $1.50
Mogadishu $1.60
Garoowe – Grade B $1.60
Baydhabo $2.00
Jowhar $2.00
Kismayo $2.50
Hargeysa $3.00
Garoowe – Grade A $3.50
Laascaanood $4.00

Key finding: Household tap-water prices ranged from $1.50 to $4.00 per m³. Laascaanood recorded the highest reported price at $4.00, while Dhuusomareb recorded the lowest at $1.50. Water in Laascaanood was approximately 2.7 times the reported price in Dhuusomareb.

Source: Somali Researchers Association (SRA)
Date: 28/02/2026

Somali Shillings Out of the Market

Estimated value of Somali Shillings reported to be out of circulation/the market, with an approximate US dollar equivalent.

Indicator Reported Value
Somali Shillings out of the market 70 billion So. Shilling
Amount in figures 70,000,000,000 So. Shilling
Approximate USD equivalent $2.26 million

Key finding: Approximately 70 billion Somali Shillings, equivalent to about US$2.26 million, were reported as being out of the market.

Note: The flashcard states that these funds have no value, no backing and no legal tender status, describing this as lost value and a lost opportunity for the Somali economy.

Source:  SRA  
SRA publication date: 12/05/2026