Exchange Rate Volatility: Empirical Evidence from Somalia in 2010

Purpose - The objective of this study was to examine the volatility of the exchange rate of the Somali shilling (SoSh) during 2010, especially the exchange rate between the Somali shilling and US dollar. Research design, data, and methodology - The study employed aquantitative research design; the data was analyzed using contents analysis for the data pertaining to the exchange rate between the US dollar and Somali Shilling in 2010. Results - The main findings were that the exchange rate was very volatile during 2010 because of three sources: (1) Imbalance of demand and supply in the money market, (2) People adopting the US dollar as the medium of exchange forgoods and services, thereby reducing the circulation of the SoSh, and (3) Lack of a strong central bank. Conclusions - The study suggested three possible remedies: the establishment of an effective central bank that matches the demand and supply of the currencies, adoption of the Somali shilling as the official currency base for the prices of commodities, and minimizing the imports into the country and maximizing its exports, to support the strengthening of the Somali shilling.