Traders say digital payments have cut costs and theft. Regulators face questions about consumer protection.
Walk through any market in Garowe or Bosaso and you will see it: customers paying for everything from tomatoes to taxi rides with a few taps on a phone.
For small traders the benefits are concrete. Less cash on hand means less risk of theft, suppliers are paid instantly and remittances arrive in minutes.
But adoption has outpaced the rules. Consumer advocates point to unclear procedures when payments go to the wrong number, and limited disclosure about fees.
Economists say clearer licensing, data-protection standards and a dispute-resolution process would strengthen trust without slowing innovation.