Is my money transfer service licensed in Ethiopia?
How to check whether a money transfer service is licensed by the National Bank of Ethiopia before you send, and why sending through an unlicensed operator puts your money at risk.
Before you send a single dollar, confirm the service is licensed by the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE). This one check is the difference between a transfer you can trace and one you cannot recover.
Why licensing matters
Only institutions licensed by the NBE are permitted to move money into Ethiopia. A licensed provider is accountable to the regulator, must keep records, and gives you a receipt. An unlicensed operator offers none of that, and using one is not permitted under Ethiopian regulation.
How to check
Match the provider's legal name against the NBE's published list of licensed financial institutions. Names can be similar, so check carefully. TiruList maintains a directory of licensed remittance providers cross-referenced to the NBE list, so you can confirm a service in a few seconds before you send.
Only institutions licensed by the NBE are permitted to move money into Ethiopia.
Licensed services with a location in the DMV
These services appear on the National Bank of Ethiopia's licensed list and have a storefront or office in the DC area. Confirm the details with the service before you send. See every service we checked, and how, on the licensed money transfer list, or browse the send money home directory.
- Dahabshiil5983 Columbia Pike Ste 100, Falls Church, VA 22041
- FastPay8701 Georgia Ave Suite 606, Silver Spring, MD 20910
- Selam Express8205 Fenton St, Silver Spring, MD 20910
- Remitly
- Ria Money Transfer
- Western Union
Frequently asked
Where can I check if a transfer service is licensed?
Check the National Bank of Ethiopia's list of licensed financial institutions. TiruList mirrors this into a searchable remittance directory so you can confirm a provider quickly.
What if my provider is not on the list?
Do not send with it. Use a provider you can confirm is NBE-licensed, so your transfer is traceable and you have recourse if something goes wrong.
More in this guide: sending money home
- How to send money to Ethiopia from the US safely (2026 guide) (the full guide)
- Ways to send money to Ethiopia
- How to choose the best way to send money to Ethiopia
- Sending money to a telebirr wallet in Ethiopia
Or browse every TiruList guide.
Sources
- [1]National Bank of Ethiopia (licensed financial institutions) Link
Keep reading
All articlesDiaspora Life
How to send money to Ethiopia from the US safely (2026 guide)
A plain guide to sending money to Ethiopia from the US: use a service licensed by the National Bank of Ethiopia, understand cash pickup vs bank and mobile money, know what affects the cost, and avoid unlicensed transfers.
Diaspora Life
How to choose the best way to send money to Ethiopia
There is no single best money transfer to Ethiopia. Here is how to compare licensed services on total cost, delivery method, speed, limits, and support so you get the most birr home safely.
Diaspora Life
Is your money transfer service licensed?
The National Bank of Ethiopia licenses every company allowed to move money into Ethiopia. Search the official list before you send, and see the licensed services people in the DMV actually use.
The TiruList directory
Everything Habesha in the DMV, in one place.
Restaurants, churches, markets, services, and events, vouched for by the community.