Zaad Payments in Somalia

Zaad official

Zaad Mobile Money is a mobile money wallet provided by Telesom, a primary telecommunications provider in Somaliland. Users can store money, send and receive funds, pay merchants, and pay bills right from their mobile phones. Zeed does this via a simple USSD menu on users’ mobile devices. Therefore, no banking account is needed and no app is required to download. All transactions are instantly confirmed when users access the Zaad menu.

Zaad is used everywhere throughout Somaliland, including Hargeisa, Berbera, Boroma, Burao, and Las Anod. Users like it because it is easily accessible without a banking account, an app to download, or an internet connection. Deposits made via Zaad appear almost immediately in the betting account of the punter, allowing them to place bets instantly on their mobile phones as odds change while they watch live matches. Another significant benefit is that it offers low-cost transfers, making it an excellent option for punters who frequently deposit smaller amounts.

Additionally, since Zaad is used for everyday purchases such as groceries, taxi fares, business transactions, and even salaries, it is trusted throughout Somaliland; thus, including betting among its services is an obvious next step. Once a punter requests a withdrawal from a sportsbook, winnings are usually returned to their wallet in mere minutes after approval of the withdrawal request.

Bookmakers that support Zaad

A relatively small number of sportsbooks offer genuine Zaad support, as most international bookmakers provide only EVC Plus for Southern Somalia. As of today, the following operators utilize Zaad for both deposits and withdrawals, according to the Somali/Somaliland-specific cashier areas of the bookmakers’ websites:

How to fund betting accounts with Zaad

Each sportsbook has a different cashier display, but the process for funding accounts with Zaad is similar across all platforms.

Step-by-Step:

  1. Log in to your betting account.
  2. Go to “deposit” or “cashier”.
  3. Choose “Zaad”, “Telesom Zaad”, “mobile money Somaliland”, etc., depending on the
  4. Pick the sportsbook that uses Zaad for deposits.
  5. Input the amount you want to fund your betting account with.
  6. Enter your registered Zaad number.
  7. Confirm the transfer via your Zaad menu.

To approve the transfer, users will:

  1. Enter merchant payments/pay bill.
  2. Input the merchant code for the bookmaker.
  3. Confirm the amount being requested.
  4. The punter’s balance will be updated instantaneously.

Limits:

  • Min Deposit: Typically 5,000 to 10,000 SLSH.
  • Max Deposit: Varies by bookmaker, typically a few hundred USD.

Getting a win paid out to your Zaad Wallet

Follow these steps:

  1. Access the “withdrawal” area of your account.
  2. Select “Zaaid”.
  3. Enter the amount of money you would like to withdraw.
  4. Ensure your telephone number is entered correctly.
  5. Accept the incoming Zaad payment on your mobile device.

Withdrawal timeframe

  1. Typically 1 – 10 minutes
  2. However, there may be instances when wait times are longer due to high activity and/or verification.

Tips for safe use

  1. Never give your Zaad PIN to anyone — No bookmaker should ever require it.
  2. Always use the same mobile number for both deposits and withdrawals. This helps prevent delays and protects against potential fraudulent activity.
  3. Do not engage with unofficial “support” profiles on Telegram or WhatsApp. Many fake profiles impersonate representatives of betting sites. Only communicate with the official website’s support system.
  4. Take screenshots of every transaction. This is useful in case of a failed deposit or to verify a deposit request.
  5. Establish your own personal deposit limits—Zaad allows for frequent, straightforward deposits; setting limits helps regulate your wagering spending habits.

Conclusion

Zaad is one of the easiest, fastest, and least expensive options for Somaliland punters to fund their betting accounts. Zaad is an instant, highly reliable and cost-effective payment method and is well-respected across Somaliland. Given that Somaliland already uses Zaad for daily financial transactions, using it for betting has been a logical progression toward Somaliland’s cashless economy. For punters seeking an easy-to-use, secure and readily-accessible payment method, Zaad continues to be one of the best alternatives available.