The Somali Shilling is now equal to the West African CFA Franc

[Afar indhood]

Legal tender means the currency that must be accepted by law for debts and payments. While Somalia lacked a strong formal system to enforce this in the early 2000s, the Somali business community effectively made the US dollar the "de facto" legal tender. This was a smart and deliberate move.

Whether or not a formal declaration existed is irrelevant in practice, the community enforced it and sidelined corrupt politicians, warlords, and Ethiopian-backed counterfeiting.

The result was stability, reduced inflation, and the collapse of the counterfeit trade , exactly as predicted back in 2006.



Loool this doesn’t prove I’m some Somali hasbara , it just shows ya'll are spamming nonsense out of resentment. I’m not doing propaganda for humanizing, contextualizing, and being informed about my people.

You are wrong to attribute business acumen or strategic intent to these ganacsato in their adoption of the U.S. dollar. The adoption was necessary because no functioning, central state existed that could prevent counterfeit currency. In fact clans used three different currencies for business - two of which were phased out due to clan politics and excessive counterfeit.

For example, the N20 currency used mainly by North Mogadishu clans were rejected by the south clans (who controlled the economy) - this was not about economics in the rational sense, but an act of economic warfare. Remember, we’re talking about a country that has had no functioning state for over 35 years, where clans kill each other’s doctors and teachers, where people refuse to shop at rival clan businesses, refuse to sell or rent property to each other.

So you either speak as a foreigner unfamiliar with the actual social order here, or you are just indeed a hasbara that regurgitates positive "half-truths" from the net in a deeply mistaken sense of patriotism

Parroting false hope is not patriotic.

Don't make me inaan qashin soo qufo.

 

[The Oponian Guild]

It was taken out of circulation in PL, I remember when people were using it back in the 2000s, you needed four bags to carry 200 usd converted to shillings.

 

[Idilinaa]

You are wrong to attribute business acumen or strategic intent to these ganacsato in their adoption of the U.S. dollar. The adoption was necessary because no functioning, central state existed that could prevent counterfeit currency. In fact clans used three different currencies for business - two of which were phased out due to clan politics and excessive counterfeit.

For example, the N20 currency used mainly by North Mogadishu clans were rejected by the south clans (who controlled the economy) - this was not about economics in the rational sense, but an act of economic warfare. Remember, we’re talking about a country that has had no functioning state for over 35 years, where clans kill each other’s doctors and teachers, where people refuse to shop at rival clan businesses, refuse to sell or rent property to each other.

So you either speak as a foreigner unfamiliar with the actual social order here, or you are just indeed a hasbara that regurgitates positive "half-truths" from the net in a deeply mistaken sense of patriotism

Parroting false hope is not patriotic.

Don't make me inaan qashin soo qufo.

It was business acumen and strategic intent, otherwise even using the dollar would have failed. The adoption sidelined the counterfeit flooding the market and cut off the last revenue stream for warlords. The central bank couldn’t stop counterfeiting because Somali notes were too easy to duplicate, while the dollar carried advanced anti-counterfeit protections.

What is this ‘N20’ currency you’re on about? That’s not even accurate history.

By the late ’90s and early 2000s, Sharia courts were governing different parts of Mogadishu, providing stability and creating a Sharia-compliant legal framework for business to operate under.

Somalia at the time actually had low homicide rates , so this idea that clans were “killing each other’s doctors and teachers” is just imagination.

Somalia Homicide Rates In 2004

Damn look how low it was intresting more then a decade ago

www.somalispot.com

In reality, the public and business community were united across clan lines against the warlords.

And today is even more different. After the U.S.-backed Ethiopian invasion, the Somali government re-established a central bank which now regulates the entire financial system , a system that’s 100% Sharia-compliant, rooted in community values and ethical banking principles. The fact that the new notes have been delayed until now shows how carefully it’s being handled. Add to that the rise of Somali business networks and fintech, and when they issue, the system will be strong enough to stabilize it.

There is no such thing as ‘rival clan businesses’ or whatever nonsense you’re spewing. Somalis freely do business with one another and cross-invest across regions, cities, and neighborhoods. Any major Somali business you look up has investments and branches spread across the country. People sell, rent, and trade with each other regardless of clan background.

Somalia is, in fact, a horizontally high-trust society, and that trust has been the foundation of Somalia’s business success.

Also , most of what I’ve shared comes from Somalis who lived it and studied it. I’m not speaking as a foreigner.

I’m not a “false patriot” just because I refuse to share your resentment or biases. If parroting slander and misrepresentation makes one a ‘true patriot,’ then that says more about you than me.

 

[Burqad]

You are wrong to attribute business acumen or strategic intent to these ganacsato in their adoption of the U.S. dollar. The adoption was necessary because no functioning, central state existed that could prevent counterfeit currency. In fact clans used three different currencies for business - two of which were phased out due to clan politics and excessive counterfeit.

For example, the N20 currency used mainly by North Mogadishu clans were rejected by the south clans (who controlled the economy) - this was not about economics in the rational sense, but an act of economic warfare. Remember, we’re talking about a country that has had no functioning state for over 35 years, where clans kill each other’s doctors and teachers, where people refuse to shop at rival clan businesses, refuse to sell or rent property to each other.

So you either speak as a foreigner unfamiliar with the actual social order here, or you are just indeed a hasbara that regurgitates positive "half-truths" from the net in a deeply mistaken sense of patriotism

Parroting false hope is not patriotic.

Don't make me inaan qashin soo qufo.

It was business acumen and strategic intent, otherwise even using the dollar would have failed. The adoption sidelined the counterfeit flooding the market and cut off the last revenue stream for warlords. The central bank couldn’t stop counterfeiting because Somali notes were too easy to duplicate, while the dollar carried advanced anti-counterfeit protections.

What is this ‘N20’ currency you’re on about? That’s not even accurate history.

By the late ’90s and early 2000s, Sharia courts were governing different parts of Mogadishu, providing stability and creating a Sharia-compliant legal framework for business to operate under.

Somalia at the time actually had low homicide rates , so this idea that clans were “killing each other’s doctors and teachers” is just imagination.

Somalia Homicide Rates In 2004

Damn look how low it was intresting more then a decade ago

www.somalispot.com

In reality, the public and business community were united across clan lines against the warlords.
View attachment 375715


And today is even more different. After the U.S.-backed Ethiopian invasion, the Somali government re-established a central bank which now regulates the entire financial system , a system that’s 100% Sharia-compliant, rooted in community values and ethical banking principles. The fact that the new notes have been delayed until now shows how carefully it’s being handled. Add to that the rise of Somali business networks and fintech, and when they issue, the system will be strong enough to stabilize it.

There is no such thing as ‘rival clan businesses’ or whatever nonsense you’re spewing. Somalis freely do business with one another and cross-invest across regions, cities, and neighborhoods. Any major Somali business you look up has investments and branches spread across the country. People sell, rent, and trade with each other regardless of clan background.

Somalia is, in fact, a horizontally high-trust society, and that trust has been the foundation of Somalia’s business success.

Also , most of what I’ve shared comes from Somalis who lived it and studied it. I’m not speaking as a foreigner.

I’m not a “false patriot” just because I refuse to share your resentment or biases. If parroting slander and misrepresentation makes one a ‘true patriot,’ then that says more about you than me.

I think the truth is in the middle between you two.

 

[Idilinaa]

I think the truth is in the middle between you two.

The truth is in the documented facts that i shared, not the nonsense he deliberately spewed.

 

[reer]

The truth is in the documented facts that i shared, not the nonsense he deliberately spewed.

dont worry bro. when somaliweyn is conquered you will be appointed as the minister of information.

 

[Afar indhood]

It was business acumen and strategic intent, otherwise even using the dollar would have failed. The adoption sidelined the counterfeit flooding the market and cut off the last revenue stream for warlords. The central bank couldn’t stop counterfeiting because Somali notes were too easy to duplicate, while the dollar carried advanced anti-counterfeit protections.

What is this ‘N20’ currency you’re on about? That’s not even accurate history.

By the late ’90s and early 2000s, Sharia courts were governing different parts of Mogadishu, providing stability and creating a Sharia-compliant legal framework for business to operate under.

Somalia at the time actually had low homicide rates , so this idea that clans were “killing each other’s doctors and teachers” is just imagination.

Somalia Homicide Rates In 2004

Damn look how low it was intresting more then a decade ago

www.somalispot.com

In reality, the public and business community were united across clan lines against the warlords.
View attachment 375715


And today is even more different. After the U.S.-backed Ethiopian invasion, the Somali government re-established a central bank which now regulates the entire financial system , a system that’s 100% Sharia-compliant, rooted in community values and ethical banking principles. The fact that the new notes have been delayed until now shows how carefully it’s being handled. Add to that the rise of Somali business networks and fintech, and when they issue, the system will be strong enough to stabilize it.

There is no such thing as ‘rival clan businesses’ or whatever nonsense you’re spewing. Somalis freely do business with one another and cross-invest across regions, cities, and neighborhoods. Any major Somali business you look up has investments and branches spread across the country. People sell, rent, and trade with each other regardless of clan background.

Somalia is, in fact, a horizontally high-trust society, and that trust has been the foundation of Somalia’s business success.

Also , most of what I’ve shared comes from Somalis who lived it and studied it. I’m not speaking as a foreigner.

I’m not a “false patriot” just because I refuse to share your resentment or biases. If parroting slander and misrepresentation makes one a ‘true patriot,’ then that says more about you than me.

What do you get out by making these long ass posts that are almost always false? And how come that you always find some English language source to back up your false claim? I mean, how do you even remember which sources have the claim that you intend to back? I am really impressed if you are a troll (which you must be, otherwise you need help).
If you lived in Somalia (or Xamar), you would have heard of Na labaatan (N20). It existed and I actually used it. I am arguing with someone who has never even heard of N20 about Somali currency.

The central bank could not stop counterfeiting because it didn't exist. What are smoking? The dollar was never used, not then, not now, as notes for daily business transactions. The single 1k banknote was the only currency in circulation. What are you talking about? Lol, you don't know shit about the country, man. Ever heard of kunaa u yar, kunaa u weyn? It is still the same. The only thing that changed now is that people don't bother carrying a shit load of frail paper money when they can just tap their phone. Even beggers don't accept the notes and every one of them carries a sign with their number printed on.

Sharia courts were established by the wealthy Salafi class to protect their assets from un-organized criminals (except for the first one established by Sh Cali Dheere). Warlords effectively ran most of the city/south until 2006.

That screenshot is bullshit. I am not even going to try to explain why. Waxaan jirin ha noo sheegin. Annagaa magaalada joognay, wax walbana kaa og, adiga iyo sarqaankii qoray qashinkaas ba.

The current central bank regulates the entire financial system? Somalia is a high-trust society? Been badanidaa.

 

[Afar indhood]

It was business acumen and strategic intent, otherwise even using the dollar would have failed. The adoption sidelined the counterfeit flooding the market and cut off the last revenue stream for warlords. The central bank couldn’t stop counterfeiting because Somali notes were too easy to duplicate, while the dollar carried advanced anti-counterfeit protections.

What is this ‘N20’ currency you’re on about? That’s not even accurate history.

By the late ’90s and early 2000s, Sharia courts were governing different parts of Mogadishu, providing stability and creating a Sharia-compliant legal framework for business to operate under.

Somalia at the time actually had low homicide rates , so this idea that clans were “killing each other’s doctors and teachers” is just imagination.

Somalia Homicide Rates In 2004

Damn look how low it was intresting more then a decade ago

www.somalispot.com

In reality, the public and business community were united across clan lines against the warlords.
View attachment 375715


And today is even more different. After the U.S.-backed Ethiopian invasion, the Somali government re-established a central bank which now regulates the entire financial system , a system that’s 100% Sharia-compliant, rooted in community values and ethical banking principles. The fact that the new notes have been delayed until now shows how carefully it’s being handled. Add to that the rise of Somali business networks and fintech, and when they issue, the system will be strong enough to stabilize it.

There is no such thing as ‘rival clan businesses’ or whatever nonsense you’re spewing. Somalis freely do business with one another and cross-invest across regions, cities, and neighborhoods. Any major Somali business you look up has investments and branches spread across the country. People sell, rent, and trade with each other regardless of clan background.

Somalia is, in fact, a horizontally high-trust society, and that trust has been the foundation of Somalia’s business success.

Also , most of what I’ve shared comes from Somalis who lived it and studied it. I’m not speaking as a foreigner.

I’m not a “false patriot” just because I refuse to share your resentment or biases. If parroting slander and misrepresentation makes one a ‘true patriot,’ then that says more about you than me.

I think the truth is in the middle between you two.

 

[Midas]

What do you get out by making these long ass posts that are almost always false? And how come that you always find some English language source to back up your false claim? I mean, how do you even remember which sources have the claim that you intend to back? I am really impressed if you are a troll (which you must be, otherwise you need help).
If you lived in Somalia (or Xamar), you would have heard of Na labaatan (N20). It existed and I actually used it. I am arguing with someone who has never even heard of N20 about Somali currency.

The central bank could not stop counterfeiting because it didn't exist. What are smoking? The dollar was never used, not then, not now, as notes for daily business transactions. The single 1k banknote was the only currency in circulation. What are you talking about? Lol, you don't know shit about the country, man. Ever heard of kunaa u yar, kunaa u weyn? It is still the same. The only thing that changed now is that people don't bother carrying a shit load of frail paper money when they can just tap their phone. Even beggers don't accept the notes and every one of them carries a sign with their number printed on.

Sharia courts were established by the wealthy Salafi class to protect their assets from un-organized criminals (except for the first one established by Sh Cali Dheere). Warlords effectively ran most of the city/south until 2006.

That screenshot is bullshit. I am not even going to try to explain why. Waxaan jirin ha noo sheegin. Annagaa magaalada joognay, wax walbana kaa og, adiga iyo sarqaankii qoray qashinkaas ba.

The current central bank regulates the entire financial system? Somalia is a high-trust society? Been badanidaa.

You'd be a lot more convincing if your perception wasnt the old "nothing has changed in Somalia " a person who can't look at the state of Mogadishu in 2000 vs 2010 vs 2025 and not comprehend why there's been such radical change cant be taken seriously.

Also I don't known why us people from third world countries somehow think the avg person is some fountain of wisdom. Nobody would expect the avg American or European to understand the American economy. So why do we somehow think your avg somalis idea of how Somali politics or the economy works which is based off hearsay is somehow accurate?

 

[Afar indhood]

You'd be a lot more convincing if your perception wasnt the old "nothing has changed in Somalia " a person who can't look at the state of Mogadishu in 2000 vs 2010 vs 2025 and not comprehend why there's been such radical change cant be taken seriously.

Also I don't known why us people from third world countries somehow think the avg person is some fountain of wisdom. Nobody would expect the avg American or European to understand the American economy. So why do we somehow think your avg somalis idea of how Somali politics or the economy works which is based off hearsay is somehow accurate?

In this setting, nothing has changed in Somalia - we're still using paper currency printed by non-state actors. I remember the state of Mogadishu in 2000, 2010 and 2025, do you? We used the same paper money in each of these years.

I am not claiming to be a fountain of wisdom. I am merely describing simple truths about the state of the currency that is/was used in Somalia, along with my personal experience as a long-term Xamarite. Nothing I said is too complex for the average person to describe. I don't need an economics PhD to assert the existence of the N20 - I remember the night the radio broadcast its rejection.
I remember everything - well, almost everything.

You can choose to disregard my assertions because it doesn't align with your perception about Somalia, but don't be dishonest about it.

I know that some of you don't like inaan qashin soo qufo; i don't like it too but you make it hard when you parrot positive nonsense.

IF my doom posts make you feel sad, just block me, or at least tell gabartaas not to post crazy false shit.

 

[Idilinaa]

What do you get out by making these long ass posts that are almost always false? And how come that you always find some English language source to back up your false claim? I mean, how do you even remember which sources have the claim that you intend to back? I am really impressed if you are a troll (which you must be, otherwise you need help).
If you lived in Somalia (or Xamar), you would have heard of Na labaatan (N20). It existed and I actually used it. I am arguing with someone who has never even heard of N20 about Somali currency.

The central bank could not stop counterfeiting because it didn't exist. What are smoking? The dollar was never used, not then, not now, as notes for daily business transactions. The single 1k banknote was the only currency in circulation. What are you talking about? Lol, you don't know shit about the country, man. Ever heard of kunaa u yar, kunaa u weyn? It is still the same. The only thing that changed now is that people don't bother carrying a shit load of frail paper money when they can just tap their phone. Even beggers don't accept the notes and every one of them carries a sign with their number printed on.

Sharia courts were established by the wealthy Salafi class to protect their assets from un-organized criminals (except for the first one established by Sh Cali Dheere). Warlords effectively ran most of the city/south until 2006.

That screenshot is bullshit. I am not even going to try to explain why. Waxaan jirin ha noo sheegin. Annagaa magaalada joognay, wax walbana kaa og, adiga iyo sarqaankii qoray qashinkaas ba.

The current central bank regulates the entire financial system? Somalia is a high-trust society? Been badanidaa.

You’re making a long post yourself, which is quite ironic. Instead, it’s just a long string of deliberate nonsense. The English sources I cite are written by Somalis who lived through that exact period and documented events as they were happening.

We are talking about real currency. The dollar was always in use , it’s the global reserve currency and it functioned as the lubricant for foreign exchange, imports/exports, and outward transactions.

The central bank existed back then as well. They even appointed a governor in the early 2000s:

Somalia's central bank chief gets second term - Central Banking

Dr Mohamud Mohamed Ulusow has been re-appointed as governor of the Central Bank of Somalia for the second time.

www.centralbanking.com

The Sharia Courts were established to safeguard peace and rescue Somalis from warlords.

The Sharia Courts were established to safeguard peace and rescue Somalis from warlords. They were a social movement to restore law, order, and stability in Mogadishu. From the late 1990s onward, they operated in districts across both North and South Mogadishu, protecting vulnerable groups and smaller clans

Some other ones

. They even set up courts to rehabilitate offenders.

There was a bunch of them that popped up in various districts and neighborhoods. Their foundation was peace, justice, and steering people away from destructive behavior.

You can deny the information all you want and make things up, but it doesn’t change what actually happened.

Yes, the Somali Central Bank today has regulatory oversight, and Somalia’s trade and business are underpinned by trust. That’s not wishful thinking, it’s universal knowledge. Mobile money itself wouldn’t even function if people didn’t trust one another , every single transaction is, in effect, a vote of confidence.