Mobile services
In 2002, Hormuud launched GSM Mobile Services, a prepaid service that offers options for contract or pay-as-you-go mobile services. Customers can top-up their accounts using Hormuud recharge vouchers and scratch cards.[18]
In 2016, Hormuud launched its Ilwadaag service, which allows for reverse calling and has become an important service for low-income Somalis. A whitelist was later added so that families and friends can connect more easily using the service.[18]
Mobile internet and broadband
In 2013, Hormuud launched Hormuud Hotspot, a high-speed, secure, and reliable Wi-Fi broadband internet accessible in public places, hotels, and educational institutions.[18] In 2014, it launched Hormuud Mifi, a portable 4G wireless router that can connect to multiple smartphones, tablets, or laptops and offers 4G internet for on-the-go web surfing. The same year, Hormuud launched ADSL Plus, a service that uses a customer's telephone line to send and receive internet data and make calls. At this time, internet capacity in the country was insufficient, yet subsequent capacity upgrades have allowed Hormuud to deliver high-speed fixed and home broadband services to households in Somalia.[18]
Enterprise Internet, a broadband service that offers wireless internet services, was launched in 2014. It enabled simultaneous broadband connectivity sessions for multiple devices. The service is predominantly aimed at providing fixed broadband services for businesses and aid agencies working in Somalia.[18] During the same year, Hormuud also launched My SMS, a bulk messaging service for communication to a large workforce or group of students.[18]
In 2024, Hormuud Telecom launched 5G services across Somalia, including Mogadishu, Kismayo, Galkayo, Baidoa, Dhusamareeb, Beledwayne, Afgoye, Merca, and Dhobley. 4G customers received upgrades to 5G at no extra cost, with 5G coverage in these areas reaching up to 81%. The 5G service offers speeds up to 400Gbit/s per wavelength, with total capacity options up to 38Tbit/s. Hormuud offers an unlimited data plan at $20 per month, one of the most affordable in Africa. Hormuud's 4G network, now covers 70% of Somalia's population, with a target of 88% urban and 70% rural coverage.[11]
In 2024, Hormuud Telecom signed up to the GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter pledging to provide connectivity in times of crisis and enhance collaboration with humanitarian organisations. Hormuud Telecom has played a vital role in disaster response in Somalia by replacing basic ringtones with critical alert messages that provide public safety instructions.[21]
EVC Plus
First introduced in 2012, EVC Plus is a unique option to transfer and receive mobile money; it operates like SMS. Over 67% of Somalis, especially the most vulnerable communities, use mobile money technology as a sole payment system.[22] EVC Plus differs from many other mobile money platforms in Africa by being totally free at the point of use. The mobile money platform has several key functionalities, such as person-to-person money transfer, person-to-merchant/business money transfer, airtime/data top-up, and account management.[23]
Mobile money is widely used in Somalia, with data from the World Bank showing that mobile money transfer is crucial in Somali's economic and infrastructure growth, with 155 million transactions worth US$2.7 billion reported every month. The majority of these transactions are made through EVC Plus.[24] Research shows that mobile money plays a crucial role in minimising currency loss and fake money.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and welfare organisations sending cash to Somalis in remote areas are exempted from the EVC wallet limit of $300. In the past, Hormuud Telecom provided commission-free bulk cash transfers to NGOs responding to crises (like floods in 2019).[25]
Nasiye
Nasiye was first launched in 2013, and became more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. This service allows a user to set up music or reading options as their dial tone. During the pandemic, Hormuud replaced some of the Nasiye dial tones with public health announcements to educate vulnerable populations and communities. Hormuud removed service subscription fees to help support the country from 2019 onwards.[18]
WAAFI
In 2021, Hormuud launched Somalia's first indigenous mobile money application, which gives Somalis access to a range of digital services across a singular platform for the first time. On the WAAFI app, consumers can access bank accounts, perform online transactions, send international remittances, and make international and domestic phone calls.[31]
WAAFI is a fully integrated mobile money platform, upgrading existing USSD technology that many Somalis use. Currently, USSD-enabled mobile money technology has a penetration rate as high as 80% in urban areas and 55% in rural areas. WAAFI allows users to access their bank account through deposits and withdrawals via their EVC Plus wallet. Through this, businesses can generate QR codes that allow customers to directly credit the businesses' bank accounts.[31]
In 2022, WAAFI won the Changing Lives Award, at the GSMA's GLOMO award ceremony for its role supporting in humanitarian situations.[32]
In 2024, Hormuud's collaborated with WAAFI, Paymentology, Mastercard and Salaam Somali Bank to roll out “Tap and Go” contactless payments in Somalia for the first time. The WAAFI mobile app now allow users to digitally open an account, create a digital Mastercard card, attach the card to a wallet or account, tokenise the card on a digital device, so contactless payments can be conducted with ease.
