SOSSomali ShillingSomali Shilling (SOS)
The Somali shilling is Somalia's national currency and remains the official local unit for prices, accounts and cash records.
- ISO code
- SOS
- Symbol
- Sh
- Region
- Africa
- Currency type
- Fiat currency
- Exchange system
- SOS operates within Somalia's rebuilding national monetary framework, with extensive practical use of foreign currency and mobile payments.
- Last reviewed
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SOS converter
SOSRate date:
Quick facts
SOS at a glance
Currency profile
How SOS works
The Somali shilling is Somalia's national currency and remains the official local unit for prices, accounts and cash records.
The Central Bank of Somalia is responsible for SOS and the country's monetary framework. One shilling is formally divided into 100 senti.
- The Somali shilling was introduced in 1962 after the unification of earlier regional currency systems.
- Long periods without centralized note issuance led to worn legacy notes, private substitutes and extensive use of foreign currency in practice.
Context
Why this currency matters
Somalia's currency environment cannot be understood from an exchange number alone. U.S. dollars and mobile money are widely important, while the national shilling remains the official unit and the subject of currency-reform planning. A dated provider reference should be treated as contextual data, not proof that a specific note or cash quotation is available.
Monetary framework
Exchange arrangement
SOS operates within Somalia's rebuilding national monetary framework, with extensive practical use of foreign currency and mobile payments.
CurrencyHub shows daily reference rates. Banks, card networks, ATMs and transfer providers may apply different exchange rates, fees or spreads.
History timeline
Key dates for SOS
Somali shilling introduced
The shilling unified the former somalo and East African shilling currency areas.
Central Bank of SomaliaCentral issuance disrupted
The collapse of central government interrupted normal national currency issuance and control.
Central Bank of SomaliaCentral bank re-established
Somalia re-established its central bank as part of rebuilding national monetary institutions.
Central Bank of Somalia
Usage and economy
How SOS is used
- Somali shillings continue to appear in local cash pricing and accounting.
- DJF, ETB, KES and YER provide useful regional comparisons.
Banknotes and coins
SOS currency units
Central Bank of Somalia is the authoritative source for the current SOS banknote framework.
Central Bank of Somalia is the authoritative source for the current SOS coin framework.
One Somali Shilling unit is recorded with 2 decimal places and uses Senti as its minor unit.
Related currencies
Currency relationships
Explore currencies connected through regional use, trade comparisons or monetary relationships.
FAQ
SOS questions
What currencies did SOS replace?
The Somali shilling unified the former somalo and East African shilling systems in 1962.
Why are foreign currencies important in Somalia?
Disruption to national note issuance and the growth of remittance and mobile-payment systems gave foreign currency a major practical role.
Who is responsible for Somalia's currency framework?
The Central Bank of Somalia is the national monetary authority responsible for SOS and currency-reform work.
Sources
Data and editorial review
Rate source: Frankfurter
Last reviewed:
Currency identity and cash information is checked against central-bank, government, ISO and official international sources.