This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8330569.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Somalis get first-ever debit card Somalis get first-ever debit card
(about 1 hour later)
A money-transfer company has made a piece of banking history in Somalia - introducing the first-ever debit card in the breakaway region of Somaliland.A money-transfer company has made a piece of banking history in Somalia - introducing the first-ever debit card in the breakaway region of Somaliland.
The firm, Dahabshiil, hopes eventually to roll the system out to all Somali-speaking areas from Djibouti to Kenya.The firm, Dahabshiil, hopes eventually to roll the system out to all Somali-speaking areas from Djibouti to Kenya.
They say large shops and hotels in areas with good internet connection and electricity can sign up to the service.They say large shops and hotels in areas with good internet connection and electricity can sign up to the service.
The card was launched in Somaliland's capital Hargeisa because of insecurity elsewhere in the region.The card was launched in Somaliland's capital Hargeisa because of insecurity elsewhere in the region.
'Cashless society''Cashless society'
Somaliland declared itself independent from Somalia in 1991, when the country's central government collapsed.Somaliland declared itself independent from Somalia in 1991, when the country's central government collapsed.
Since then, Somaliland has forged a relatively stable state, despite its lack of international recognition.Since then, Somaliland has forged a relatively stable state, despite its lack of international recognition.
Most of the rest of Somalia has been wracked by violence and Islamist insurgencies whileMost of the rest of Somalia has been wracked by violence and Islamist insurgencies while
Dahabshiil boss Abdul Rashid Mohamed Said told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme he regretted that people overseas hear only bad news from Somalia.Dahabshiil boss Abdul Rashid Mohamed Said told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme he regretted that people overseas hear only bad news from Somalia.
"We believe Somalis here have the same needs as people in the UK or America and that's why the debit card will make their lives easier," he said."We believe Somalis here have the same needs as people in the UK or America and that's why the debit card will make their lives easier," he said.
He said he hoped to create a "cashless society" by encouraging customers to link their accounts directly to their cards.He said he hoped to create a "cashless society" by encouraging customers to link their accounts directly to their cards.
The BBC's Jamal Abdi says people he spoke to on the streets of Hargeisa hope the new cards will reduce the long queues outside money-transfer agencies.
Dahabshiil has made its name by handling cash transferred by Somalis living overseas to their relatives back home.Dahabshiil has made its name by handling cash transferred by Somalis living overseas to their relatives back home.
Some estimates say as much as $1bn (£610m) is sent into Somalia from the emigrants.Some estimates say as much as $1bn (£610m) is sent into Somalia from the emigrants.