The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has approved 91 new exchange companies and currency-trading offices across multiple regions, marking one of the largest waves of licensing in recent years.
With these approvals, the number of firms granted final authorization now stands at 278, following 187 licenses issued earlier.
According to the CBL, each of the newly licensed companies had previously received preliminary approval, followed by detailed field inspections of their offices to ensure compliance with operational and regulatory standards.
Only after meeting all legal, technical, and security requirements were they granted final permission to begin operations. The Bank emphasized that this oversight is essential for strengthening transparency, improving service quality, and ensuring that exchange activities adhere to national financial regulations.
The expansion of licensed exchange offices is part of a broader strategy to stabilize Libya’s currency market, reduce reliance on informal exchange networks, and introduce clearer mechanisms for managing foreign-exchange flows.
Officials stressed that the growing number of authorized companies will help distribute financial services more evenly across the country and enhance liquidity conditions, especially in regions previously underserved by the formal banking sector.
At the same time, the Central Bank revealed that it continues to process a large backlog of applications, with more than 2,000 requests still under review.
The Bank reiterated its commitment to continuous supervision of licensed companies, ongoing audits, and enforcement of compliance rules, noting that the integrity of the foreign-exchange sector is a cornerstone of Libya’s economic stability.
