Central Bank of Libya

What Central Bank of Libya does

The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) is the sovereign monetary authority of Libya, fully owned by the Libyan state and headquartered in Tripoli. Following the 2011 revolution and the subsequent 2014 civil war that split the institution into rival eastern and western branches, CBL completed a formal reunification process launched in January 2022 under Governor Al-Saddiq Omar Al-Kabir with Deloitte as consulting partner, with Naji Mohammed Issa as the current Governor. CBL serves three primary constituencies: commercial banks (supervision, liquidity provision, FX supply), government entities and the public sector (budget execution, salary disbursement), and Libyan citizens and foreign residents (foreign currency access, digital payments, e-wallets). Its operational footprint covers a single jurisdiction — Libya — with operating geographies restricted to domestic markets.

CBL's product portfolio spans the LyPay consumer mobile payment platform, the Ratebak instant salary system covering 1.7 million of 2.2 million eligible public sector employees (75% participation as of June 2026), foreign currency allocation including a USD cash disbursement program permitting up to $2,000 annually per citizen, e-wallets for foreign residents with differentiated daily transaction limits (100,000 LYD for citizens vs 50,000 LYD for residents), QR code and POS terminal mandates for commercial banks, the ECC electronic clearing system for high-value sukuk and cheques, and a documentary credit system for trade finance. Underlying technology is conventional electronic payment infrastructure, banking supervision platforms, and the FCMS citizen-facing platform at fcms.cbl.gov.ly. The commercial bank network — at ~90% branch connectivity — serves as the primary distribution channel for all currency, FX, and payment services.

CBL does not operate as a commercial enterprise. It does not generate revenue from product sales; its functions are monetary policy, currency issuance, banking supervision, foreign exchange management, and payment systems oversight. Economic activity flows through the bank are managed as part of Libya's broader hydrocarbon-dependent economy, where oil accounts for 65% of GDP, 93% of exports, and 72% of government revenues (per World Bank 2024 data). The bank is governed by a Governor and Board of Directors under oversight from the House of Representatives, High Council of State, and Presidential Council, with no private equity, venture capital, or public shareholders.

Name

Central Bank of Libya

Legal name

The Central Bank of Libya

Website

https://cbl.gov.ly

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Central Bank of Libya is Libya's sovereign monetary authority, operating monetary policy, currency issuance, banking supervision, and digital payment infrastructure (LyPay, Ratebak, e-wallets) for commercial banks, government entities, and citizens across a single domestic jurisdiction.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Central Banking

NAICS

Monetary Authorities-Central Bank (521110)

SIC

Finance Services (6199)

akta.pro primary industry

Treasury & Liquidity Operations (Cash Positioning, Funding, Collateral Ops) (FSABALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Money Markets & Short-Term Funding (T-Bills, CP, CDs) (FSACAEAG), Islamic Treasury, Liquidity & Interbank (Commodity Murabaha, Sukuk Liquidity) (FSABAGAK), Cash & Coin Processing / Cash Centers (FSAMAOAF), Treasury & Cash Management (BPAIAEAB)

Keywords

• Central banking services
• Monetary policy management
• Foreign exchange operations
• Banking supervision
• National payment systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Tripoli

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Central Bank of Libya is Libya's sovereign central monetary authority, responsible for issuing the Libyan dinar, formulating and implementing monetary policy, supervising commercial banks, managing foreign exchange reserves, and operating the national payment and settlement infrastructure. It provides digital payment services (LyPay), instant salary disbursement systems (Ratebak), electronic clearing (ECC), foreign currency allocation programs, and banknote issuance to commercial banks, government ministries, and citizens across Libya.

Product overview

The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) operates as a state-owned financial institution providing the core national banking infrastructure for Libya. Its product portfolio spans consumer digital payments (LyPay), instant salary disbursement (Ratebak/راتبك لحظي), foreign currency allocation and dollar cash disbursement programs, e-wallets for foreign residents, QR code and POS terminal acceptance networks, the ECC electronic clearing system for sukuk and cheques, a documentary credit system for trade financing, banknote issuance, and a developer portal. The CBL also oversees commercial bank connectivity, e-government payment integration, and financial inclusion initiatives for foreign workers. These products function as an integrated national banking ecosystem, with the CBL acting as the central orchestrator connecting government ministries, commercial banks, and citizens.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LyPay (خدمة لي باي): Electronic payment service and mobile payment platform operated by the Central Bank of Libya
• Ratebak (راتبك لحظي)
• LyPay Service

Products and services

• LyPay (خدمة لي باي) Electronic Payment Service Electronic payment mobile service operated by the CBL enabling citizens to make digital transactions and electronic fund transfers across Libya.
• Ratebak Instant Salary System (راتبك لحظي) Digital salary disbursement system enabling direct transfer of public sector salaries to employees' bank accounts with automatic data matching between the Ministry of Finance and Banking Information Authority.
• E-Wallet Service for Foreign Residents Electronic wallet issuance service for foreigners legally residing in Libya, with differentiated daily transaction limits (100,000 dinars for citizens versus 50,000 dinars for foreign residents).
• QR Code and POS Terminal Payment Systems CBL-mandated electronic payment acceptance systems requiring commercial banks, bakeries, and fuel distribution companies to support QR code payments and POS terminals, aimed at reducing cash reliance and combating money laundering and tax evasion.
• ECC Electronic Clearing System The Electronic Clearing Centre system processes high-value sukuk and cheque clearing for public entities, and handles electronic clearing for documentary credits.
• Documentary Credit System (اعتمادات مستندية) An electronic system for opening and managing documentary credits (letters of credit) for import transactions, with controls governing inspection companies, cash deposit requirements, and approval workflows.
• Foreign Exchange Allocation System System for allocating foreign currency (primarily USD) to citizens and residents, including the annual $2,000 cash disbursement program via commercial banks and the foreign exchange sale system for Libyan households.
• Banknote Issuance Service (إصدارات العملة) Management of issuance and circulation of Libyan dinar banknotes, with dedicated information pages and currency exchange rate publications.
• E-Commerce Platform (منصة التجارة الإلكترونية) An e-commerce platform launched by CBL in February 2022 to support digital trade and commerce in Libya.
• Developer Portal (بوابة المطورين) A developer-facing documentation portal for the Central Bank of Libya's systems and integration guides, providing technical documentation and integration resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% public sector employee participation rate in digital salary system (1.7 million of 2.2 million registered)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Numisma BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026Delegation from Numisma Bank met with Governor Naji Mohammed Issa and senior CBL officials in Tripoli to discuss structural reforms in the Libyan banking sector. Both parties agreed to continue ongoing dialogue and cooperation in support of Libya's foreign exchange market initiatives. The CBL began distributing US Dollars through commercial banks in May 2026, stabilizing the dinar exchange rate.
• DeloittecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 January 2022Contract signed with Deloitte for consulting services to support the implementation of the Central Bank reunification roadmap. The four-phase reunification plan aims to create a modern operating model for the unified central bank following international best practices.
• Telecommunications Holding CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to develop electronic payment systems and enhance digital infrastructure across Libya. Plans include increasing transaction limits, forming technical working groups, and integrating foreign workers into formal financial channels to improve financial inclusion.
• IMF (International Monetary Fund)coreOthersRegular Article IV consultations and discussions on economic policies, exchange rate management, and financial sector reforms. CBL Governor participates in annual IMF/World Bank meetings and bilateral discussions.
• World Bank GroupcoreOthersWorld Bank has supported Libya for over two decades through the Libya Development Trust Fund and other programs targeting private sector development, reconstruction, and institutional capacity building.
• Banque de France (Bank of France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiscussions on microfinance management and creating suitable environment for launching projects in Libya. Cooperation in various economic fields and private sector support.
• Expertise FranceminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on fintech regulations, credit information center development, and microfinance projects. Technical support for financial sector modernization.
• Bank of EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWelcomed CBL's reunification process and expressed readiness to support it. Discussed governance and transparency programs and welcomed CBL's joining of central bank capacity development programs.
• Atlantic CouncilminorOthersMeetings with Atlantic Council featuring political leaders, ambassadors, media, and international experts to discuss Libya's economic outlook and central bank reforms.
• USAIDminorOthersDiscussions on economic cooperation and support for Libya's financial sector development.
• European UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation through EU Delegation in Libya on economic development and private sector support programs.
• Central Bank of EgyptminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapacity building, performance development, and knowledge transfer. Agreed to establish framework for joint cooperation in November 2021.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Saudi Central Bank (SAMA): Regionally dominant oil-exporting central bank with deep reserves and advanced payment infrastructure (Mada, SARIE). Useful benchmark for what scaled-up GCC central-bank modernization looks like and the trajectory Libya could follow.
• Central Bank of Nigeria: Africa's largest emerging-market central bank with an oil-revenue-dependent FX regime and aggressive digital-payment agenda (eNaira, instant payments). Operates at much larger scale but with similar structural reform patterns.
• Central Bank of the UAE: Oil-funded Gulf central bank running an advanced digital payments roadmap (IPP, digital dirham) and serving as a regional benchmark for central-bank-driven fintech policy.

Others

• Banque de France: G7 central bank acting as a technical advisor to CBL on microfinance and economic cooperation. Functions as an enabling partner rather than a comparable peer, but anchors CBL's international reform dialogue.

Direct peers

• Central Bank of Egypt: Regional Arab central bank pursuing comparable digital modernization (instant payment networks, card tokenization, fintech regulation) and managing large FX reserves under a managed-float regime. Already a CBL cooperation partner under a 2021 framework agreement.
• Bank of Algeria: Regional Maghreb central bank with comparable hydrocarbon-dependent balance sheet and dollar-allocation challenges. Operates a managed exchange-rate regime and oversees a banking sector with similar legacy infrastructure.
• Central Bank of Iraq: Post-conflict oil-dependent central bank with parallel exchange-rate pressures, dollar cash distribution programs, and active digital payment reform. The closest functional analogue in scale, currency pressures, and hydrocarbon dependence.
• Central Bank of Sudan: Post-conflict Arab central bank navigating reunification, dual exchange-rate regimes, and severe FX scarcity. Closely analogous to CBL's 2014–2022 trajectory on institutional fragmentation and reunification.
• Central Bank of Jordan: Resource-constrained Arab central bank with long experience in FX management, banking supervision modernization, and remittance-driven dollar liquidity — all directly relevant to CBL's institutional rebuilding.

Regional players

• Central Bank of Tunisia: Neighboring North African central bank facing comparable FX scarcity, fiscal stress, and digital-payment modernization needs. Less oil-dependent but analogous in macro vulnerabilities and banking-sector reform agenda.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CentralBankOfLy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0MYlJdl46VyJn4QO1Msq_g
• Facebookfacebook.com/CentralBankofLibya
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-bank-of-libya

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Central Bank of Libya