Ethiopia’s central bank has moved to tighten control over remittance flows, urging Ethiopians living abroad to use licensed channels as authorities step up enforcement against illegal money transfer networks.

In a statement issued on December 29, 2025, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) said unlicensed money transfer operators are prohibited under Ethiopian law and expose both senders and recipients to legal and operational risks.

The regulator said measures are being taken not only against unauthorised remittance companies but also against domestic recipients involved in illegal foreign currency transactions, as part of a broader effort to curb informal financial flows and strengthen oversight of the country’s remittance sector.

The NBE urged diaspora members to rely on licensed providers to avoid service disruptions or legal complications. Several services, including Shigie, Adulis (ADZ), Red Sea, Avanti, World Direct Link, Rasmie Pay, US Wire, Zola and Taj, were specifically named as operating without authorisation.

A full list of licensed money transfer operators is available on the central bank’s website.

Remittances remain a crucial source of foreign currency for Ethiopia, with the government targeting around 8 billion US dollars in inflows in the current fiscal year. The central bank said strengthening formal remittance channels is central to protecting this key revenue stream and stabilising the foreign exchange market.