For several months, Somali travellers—both inside the country and across the diaspora—have heavily relied on the newly introduced e-Visa system that allows visa payments to be processed digitally. While the system has facilitated easier access to visas, new allegations are emerging that raise serious concerns about the financial transparency and regulatory compliance behind the project.

Reliable industry sources, including senior fintech experts, claim that the e-Visa program was spearheaded by Premier Bank in partnership with a technology company called Empire Tech Solutions (ETS). According to these sources, ETS is responsible for collecting personal data from travellers and receiving a portion of the visa fees.

What makes the situation more sensitive are allegations that ETS may be linked to individuals related to the current Somali presidency, potentially creating an overlap between state authority and private commercial interests.
These allegations have not been independently verified — but they raise questions that require clarification.

Concerns of International Financial Misrepresentation

According to fintech analysts familiar with Visa/Mastercard regulations, Premier Bank may be processing visa-related payments in a manner that appears as if the customer purchased "goods” rather than made a "government service payment”.

If true, this could mislead Mastercard, Visa, and international banks about the actual purpose of the transaction, creating a risk of:

• Violating financial reporting rules

• Triggering anti-fraud mechanisms

• Causing international banking restrictions on Somali transactions

Financial experts emphasise that any misclassification of government-related fees is a serious matter that typically prompts international audits.

 Possible Regulatory Action

Some industry figures are now preparing to notify international financial regulators in the US, UK, and EU regarding the matter.
This could trigger:

• An independent audit of e-Visa payment flows

• Temporary suspension of payment processing

• Direct penalties on the financial institution responsible

Such developments could disrupt visa processing for thousands of Somali travellers, particularly those traveling for education, work, or medical care.

 Official Response Still Pending

At the time of publication, Premier Bank has not released a public statement addressing these concerns.
Similarly, Empire Tech Solutions (ETS) has not issued a clarification regarding their scope of responsibility or ownership structure.

For the sake of transparency and public confidence, it would be in the interest of all parties involved to provide official statements explaining:

1. Who legally owns ETS

2. How visa fee revenues are distributed

3. Whether Mastercard / Visa were notified that payments are government-related

4. What safeguards are in place to protect personal data of Somali travellers

 The Public Interest

The e-Visa system is not merely a financial infrastructure:
it is a national security asset that handles the personal data of millions of citizens and controls international mobility.

Any concerns surrounding it — even perception of irregularity — demand a transparent, independent and responsible investigation to protect:

• The State

• The Banking Sector

• The Public

• The International Reputation of Somalia

 Conclusion

This investigation is ongoing.
This article does not accuse any individual or institution of wrongdoing — but highlights the need for:

✔ Clarity
✔ Accountability
✔ Public reassurance
✔ Regulatory compliance

Requests for comment and clarification have been sent to:

• Premier Bank

• Empire Tech Solutions (ETS)

• Relevant regulatory stakeholders

Their responses will be published in full when received.