Somalia’s E-Visa System Under Fire: Allegations of Corruption and Political Favoritism Ignite Fiery Debate
Published: November 14, 2025, 10:13 AM
LONDON – A bombshell accusation has sent shockwaves through Somalia’s political and financial circles, as the country’s newly launched electronic visa (E-Visa) system faces intense scrutiny. Axmed Ismaaciil, General Manager of World Remit, took to Facebook with a scathing exposé, claiming the system is far from the public service it purports to be. But here’s where it gets controversial: Axmed alleges the entire operation is a private venture controlled by Premier Bank in partnership with Empire, a company he insists is owned by the family of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This, he argues, is a blatant conflict of interest masquerading as a government initiative.
In his detailed post, Axmed revealed that visa fees paid by applicants are routed through Premier Bank, raising red flags about transparency. He described a painstaking investigation to uncover the true beneficiaries of these payments, only to find they were Empire and Premier Bank. Axmed even claims to have personally confirmed this arrangement with Premier Bank’s chairman, who reportedly acknowledged the bank’s central role in the E-Visa system.
And this is the part most people miss: Axmed isn’t framing this as a typical business rivalry. He insists there’s no competition at play here. Instead, he’s calling out what he sees as a deliberate roadblock engineered by the bank, one that serves private interests at the expense of public trust. His demand is simple: remove the barrier. Axmed has vowed to fight this arrangement, threatening to take his grievances to international media if the issue isn’t addressed, labeling it a global financial scandal.
Premier Bank Somaliland has vehemently denied these claims. They assert they are a fully registered institution operating strictly within Somaliland’s legal framework, offering services limited to Somaliland territories, particularly through their Gateway Service for digital payments. The bank categorically rejects any involvement in the E-Visa system or ties to Empire or President Hassan Sheikh’s family.
This dispute couldn’t come at a more tense time. Somalia and Somaliland are already locked in a bitter standoff over airspace control, border procedures, and political authority. Somaliland has outright rejected the federal E-Visa requirement, leaving many of its citizens stranded at international airports when asked to apply for Somali visas. This latest clash is just one more battleground in the long-standing power struggle between Hargeisa and Mogadishu, rooted in deep-seated disputes over sovereignty, recognition, and administrative control.
The Federal Government of Somalia defends the E-Visa system as a necessary measure to bolster security over its airspace and borders, including regions administered by Somaliland. However, Axmed’s public allegations, coupled with Premier Bank’s strong rebuttal, have thrown gasoline on an already fiery debate. What began as a policy dispute has now spiraled into a broader conversation about transparency, governance, and the dangerous intertwining of financial and political interests.
Here’s the million-dollar question: Is Somalia’s E-Visa system a legitimate security measure or a thinly veiled scheme to benefit a select few? As both sides dig in their heels, the controversy has become a lightning rod for domestic concerns and international attention alike. The outcome of this battle could reshape not just Somalia’s visa policies, but the very dynamics of its relationship with Somaliland. What do you think? Is this a case of corruption or a necessary administrative move? Let us know in the comments below.
