Regulatory AlertsDjibouti: fintech & payments regulation
RegulatedCBD regulates payments, e-money, and crypto; strict licensing and capital required
- Lead regulator
- Banque Centrale de Djibouti
- Also involved
- —
- Core law
- Law No. 118/AN/15/7th Legislature (2024)
- Entry capital
- 100 million DJF (E-money)
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- Licensed custodian only
- Data protection
- —
- Sandbox
- No
The Central Bank of Djibouti (CBD) is the primary supervisor for the national payment system, electronic money, and crypto-asset services. The regulatory landscape is consolidated under recent laws and circulars, with a clear mandate for licensing and capital adequacy. The jurisdiction is moving towards stricter oversight of virtual assets, aligning with international standards.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment processing / gateway | LicencePayment Service Provider Licence[1] Requires licensing under the National Payment System Law | — | — | Banque Centrale de Djibouti |
| E-money & wallet issuance | LicenceElectronic Money Issuer Licence[2] Minimum capital mandated by Instruction 2017-01 | 100 million DJF | — | Banque Centrale de Djibouti |
| Domestic money transfer | LicencePayment Service Provider Licence[1] Domestic transfers fall under payment service provider regulation | — | — | Banque Centrale de Djibouti |
| Cross-border remittance | LicencePayment Service Provider Licence[1] Cross-border payments require payment service provider authorization | — | — | Banque Centrale de Djibouti |
| Agent network | LicenceElectronic Money Issuer Licence[2] Distribution networks for e-money require prior authorization | — | — | Banque Centrale de Djibouti |
| Open banking / account information | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific open banking framework identified | — | — | — |
| Foreign-exchange services | LicencePayment Service Provider Licence[1] FX services are part of payment services under the National Payment System Law | — | — | Banque Centrale de Djibouti |
New — what changed recently
- 2026-01-01Circular No. 2026-01 — Amended and completed the regulatory framework for Crypto-Asset Service Providers, mandating strict licensing and 100 million DJF capital.[3]
- 2025-01-01Circular No. 2025-01 — Established the initial licensing framework, governance standards, and capital requirements for Virtual Asset Service Providers.[4]
- 2024-03-01Law No. 118/AN/15/7th Legislature — Enacted comprehensive regulation for the National Payment System under Central Bank supervision.[1]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Secure CBD LicenseApply for a Payment Service Provider or Electronic Money Issuer license from the Central Bank of Djibouti.
- 2Meet Capital RequirementsEnsure minimum share capital of 100 million DJF for electronic money issuance.
- 3Submit Operational PlanProvide a comprehensive application file including governance structures and financial forecasts.
- 4Register for CryptoIf offering crypto services, register as a CASP under Circular 2025-01/2026-01.
Sources
- Law No. 118/AN/15/7th Legislature on the Creation, Regulation, and Supervision of the National Payment System · 2024-03-01
- Conditions and Modalities for the Exercise of Activities of Electronic Money Issuers
- Central Bank of Djibouti Circular No. 2026-01 Amending and Completing Circular No. 2025-01 on the Regime for Crypto-Asset Service Providers
- Circular No. 2025-01 on the Regime for Virtual Asset Service Providers in Djibouti