Informal value transfer systems

Hawala or hewala ( , meaning transfer or sometimes trust), originating in India as havala (), also known as ' in Persian, and or ' in Somali, is a popular and informal value transfer system based on the performance and honour of a huge network of money brokers (known as hawaladars).

Al-Barakat, or Al-Barakaat (), which means "Blessings" in Arabic, is a group of companies established in 1987 in Somalia. The firm is involved in the modern form of hawala, an informal value transfer system and remittance method. By 2001, Al-Barakat had outlets in 40 countries, and was the country's largest private employer. It handled about $140 million USD a year from the Somali diaspora, and also offered phone and internet services.

Dahabshiil (, ) is a Somali funds transfer company, headquartered in Dubai, UAE, and is the largest money-transfer business in Africa. Formed in 2004, the firm operates from over 24,000 outlets and employs more than 2,000 people across 126 countries. It provides financial services to international organisations, as well as to both large and small businesses and private individuals. The company is also involved in community building projects in Somalia.