Telesom, particularly its mobile money transfer service ZAAD, has achieved the prestigious international certification from the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association).This certification is awarded to mobile money service providers that meet the globally agreed-upon standards for mobile money services, following an independent assessment that evaluates the service’s efficiency, security, and operational processes.

The GSMA is an international organization with over 700 telecommunications companies worldwide as members, and Telesom has been a member for many years. The GSMA introduced the Mobile Money Certification in 2018, evaluating companies against a stringent set of around 300 criteria, including service quality, safeguarding customer assets and data, compliance with financial regulations, risk management, and the level of technology used in managing mobile money systems.

Telesom, the largest telecommunications and mobile financial services company in Somaliland, launched the ZAAD service in 2009 and has since been committed to advancing the financial ecosystem of the community. Today, Telesom is proud and delighted to celebrate achieving this international certification, further solidifying its leadership among local and regional mobile money service providers.

The celebration event for the attainment of this certification and international recognition of Telesom’s ZAAD service took place in Hargeisa at the Ambassador Hotel. The event was attended by the Minister of Technology and Communication, Dr. Ahmed Yusuf Idris; the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Ali Abdillahi Dahir; the Director General of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, Mr. Abdirashid Ibrahim Abdirahman; heads of resident embassies, international and local organizations, business leaders, scholars, women, and many other distinguished guests.

Finally, Telesom is confident that obtaining this international certification will provide the country with global recognition, facilitating easier business dealings with international companies. This achievement enhances the reputation, reliability, and trust in the quality of the ZAAD service, which is the backbone of the financial, remittance, and money management systems that the community relies on. Telesom expresses its gratitude to the government, company employees, and customers for their unwavering support in every step of its progress.