Somalia: FGS Signals Readiness to Share e-Visa Revenue After Somaliland Objections

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government says it is ready to share revenue generated from the country’s new electronic visa system with the breakaway region of Somaliland and federal member states, following complaints over the rollout of the program.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Mohamed Omar, known as Ali Bal’ad, said in a recent interview that Mogadishu has responded to concerns raised by Somaliland about the e-Visa system, which was introduced in September 2025. He said the government is open to discussions on how the revenue should be divided.

Bal’ad said the Ministry of Finance is prepared to participate in creating a mechanism for revenue-sharing and would engage in any dialogue on how to manage funds collected through the system.

“The government is ready to discuss the e-Visa revenue, and the Ministry of Finance is also prepared to share it,” Bal’ad said.

Under the new system, applicants pay a $64 fee, which the federal government considers an important step toward unifying the country’s entry procedures and ensuring that visa revenue is deposited directly into the national treasury.

Somaliland has opposed the implementation of the program, arguing that it forces travelers to pay twice — once through the federal e-Visa platform and again upon arrival at airports in Somaliland.

GAROWE ONLINE