# Sahal: Golis Telecom's mobile money service in Puntland

> Sahal in facts: launch by Golis Telecom, how to register and what it does, how customer money is held, its use for local taxes in Puntland, and its certifications.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/businesses/sahal/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## The short version

**Sahal** is the brand name of [Golis Telecom](/en/businesses/golis-telecom/)'s mobile money service. Golis says it launched Sahal in **2009** ([Golis Telecom, Sahal FAQ](https://golistelecom.com/?p=26)). Golis, founded in 2002, is the leading phone network in [Puntland](/en/states/puntland/) ([The Standard, 25 July 2024](https://standardmedia.co.ke/sports/amp/africa/article/2001499614/how-golis-telco-is-changing-puntlands-story)). A 2019 Clingendael study counts Sahal, with Zaad and EVC Plus, among the mobile money platforms of the Hormuud-aligned companies ([Clingendael, Transnational capital in Somalia, 2019, box 6](https://kpsrl.org/sites/kpsrl/files/2020-03/transnational-capital-in-somalia%20updated%20report.pdf)).

## How it works

Golis lists these services and rules ([Golis Telecom, Sahal FAQ](https://golistelecom.com/?p=26)):

- **Registration:** a customer first needs a Golis number, then opens a Sahal account free at any Golis centre. Golis sends an SMS and a four-digit start key to activate the account. Some account types have levels with different identity requirements.
- **Sending money:** free transfers to anyone in Somalia.
- **Paying:** utility bills through a merchant paybill number, and shopping by paying the shop's account number.
- **Airtime:** top-ups from $0.25 to $100, for the customer's own phone or another Golis number.
- **Cash:** deposits and withdrawals at Golis centres and shops. When a shop pays out cash, the customer signs a log book that records Sahal transactions at that shop.

## How customer money is held

Under Golis's customer terms, the e-money in a Sahal account stands for an equal amount of cash held by a **trustee** on the customer's behalf. The service is open to all Golis subscribers who register, and customers on other networks may have fewer features ([Golis Telecom, Sahal terms and conditions](https://golistelecom.com/?p=2145)).

## Paying local taxes by phone

From 2021 local governments in Puntland have used mobile money to collect taxes. **Garowe** district piloted a phone-based tax payment system with support from UN-Habitat. The district recorded a **threefold rise** in local revenue, mainly from property, business and public transport taxes. With the Puntland Ministry of Interior and Golis, the system was then extended to **[Bosaso](/en/regions/bari/), Burtinle, Galkayo and Qardho** ([UN-Habitat, August 2021](https://unhabitat.org/news/16-aug-2021/mobile-taxation-expanded-to-four-districts-of-somalia-after-a-successful-pilot)).

## Certifications

- Golis and Hormuud became GSMA certified mobile money providers, the mobile industry body's standard for consumer protection and secure systems ([Garowe Online](https://garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/hormuud-and-golis-telecom-achieve-gsma-certification-as-mobile-money-providers)).
- In July 2024 Golis received three ISO certifications in Garowe, covering quality management, mobile money and information security. A Mastercard service was launched at the same event, which Puntland's vice president attended ([The Standard, 25 July 2024](https://standardmedia.co.ke/sports/amp/africa/article/2001499614/how-golis-telco-is-changing-puntlands-story)).

For the other services, see [EVC Plus](/en/businesses/evc-plus/), [Zaad](/en/businesses/zaad/) and [eDahab](/en/businesses/edahab/). For the wider picture, see [Mobile money in Somalia](/en/economy/mobile-money/).

---
I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.