Hormuud Telecom and GSMA Partner to Drive INGO Mobile Money Use

Hormuud Telecom and the GSMA Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation Programme (M4H) today issued a Partner Statement of Commitment to drive the humanitarian sector’s adoption of Hormuud’s life-changing mobile network services in Somalia.

GSMA M4H will provide technical support and facilitate partnerships with humanitarian organisations, while Hormuud will share best practices and insights from their experience in mobile money cash transfers and other mobile-enabled services.

The aim is to improve access to mobile-enabled services for digitally excluded populations, such as Hormuud’s Humanitarian Portal.

The Portal is underpinned by Hormuud’s mobile money platform, EVC Plus, which allows humanitarian organisations to distribute up to US$ 1 million with a single click of a button. It has become an essential tool to help INGOs distribute cash-aid in-country.

The Commitment comes at a time when an estimated 8.25 million people require humanitarian assistance in Somalia, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The adoption of Hormuud’s services by the humanitarian sector has never been more important.

Hormuud CEO, Ahmed Yusef said on the GSMA partnership that at Hormuud, they recognize the pressing humanitarian needs in Somalia and are committed to making a difference by leveraging their technology to address these challenges head-on.

“Through strategic partnerships like the one with GSMA, we are confident that we, alongside humanitarian agencies, can uplift communities in Somalia and enhance their well-being, providing them with the necessary support and connectivity they need to thrive,” he said.

The M4H programme accelerates the delivery and impact of digital humanitarian assistance by catalysing patnerships and innovation for new digital humanitarian services. The programme works with partners to tackle issues such as natural hazard disasters, food insecurity, and forced displacement – all being exacerbated by the climate crisis. The programme is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and is supported by the GSMA and its members.

A Strategy Roadmap will be developed to ensure the goals set out in the Commitment are achieved.

On her part, Kimberly Brown, GSMA Head of Mobile for Humanitarian Innovation said, “Hormuud is a leading purpose-driven, digitally inclusive company in Somalia and we are delighted to work alongside them. This partnership will strengthen our work in the Horn of Africa, where pressing humanitarian challenges call for new collaboration and innovation. Their award-winning technology demonstrates their existing leadership in this area.”

“Our partnership is a prime example of our commitment to leveraging digital solutions for positive impact. By combining our expertise, we will help address the needs of underserved populations and ensure that crucial humanitarian services reach those who need them the most,’’ she added.

Hormuud Telecom has a proven track record of driving digital inclusivity in Somalia. It was the first company to introduce mobile money services in Somalia in 2011 and the first company to obtain the GSMA’s Mobile Money Certification last year, for following internationally-recognised standards.

The groundbreaking Humanitarian Portal also won the GSMA GLOMO Changing Lives award in 2022, having revolutionised mobile money cash transfers, providing essential financial services to millions of Somalis.

The Partnership reinforces Hormuud Telecom’s commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by delivering connectivity and innovative (SDG 9) products and services to provide unmatched solutions that meet the unique needs of Somalis by enabling access (SDG10) through technologies and partners (SDG 17).