LIBYA
Since December 2020
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Circular No. 9-2020 Controls governing the procedures for opening documentary credits and selling foreign exchange for personal purposes, study, treatment, and expatriates منشور ا ر م ن ر قم ( 2020/9) التاريخ: 14 جمادى الأول 1442 هـ 2020/12/31 الموافق
Art. 2 of Circular No. 9-2020 of the Central Bank of Libya stipulates that banks are granted the powers to decide on the sale of foreign exchange for personal purposes through the national number of every Libyan citizen aged eighteen years or older and within certain limits. The maximum amount transferred per person through all banks operating in Libya, whether through Visa or MasterCard cards or quick transfers, is USD 20,000 or its equivalent in other currencies per year. Additionally, the limit for issued Visa or MasterCard cards should not exceed an amount of USD 10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies per year.
Coverage E-payments
LIBYA
Since November 2017
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on online payments
Circular No. 10-2017 on controls and instructions for electronic payment services using mobile phones and eWallets
Circular No. 10-2017 sets limits for electronic payments using mobile phones or eWallets. A monthly limit applies to transactions as follows: 1,000 LYD (approx. USD 207) for individuals, 10,000 LYD (approx. USD 2,070) for small merchants or enterprises, 20,000 LYD (approx. USD 4,150) for medium merchants or enterprises and 50,000 LYD (approx. USD 10,350) for large merchants or enterprises. It also sets a monthly account limit of 3,000 LYD (approx. USD 620) for individuals, 10,000 LYD (approx. USD 2,070) for small merchants or enterprises, 20,000 LYD (approx. USD 4150) for medium merchants or enterprises and 50,000 LYD (approx. USD 10,350) for large merchants or enterprises.
Coverage E-payments
LIBYA
Reported in 2021, last reported in 2025
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Threshold for ‘De Minimis’ rule
Lack of de minimis threshold
It is reported that Libya does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties.
Coverage Horizontal
LIBYA
Since June 2010
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Restrictions on domain names
Local presence requirement for domain names
“.ly” is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, managed by the Libyan Spider Network. Anyone can register domain names with the “.ly” extension for a minimum period of one year. The official website of Libya's top-level domain registry states that there are no requirements for local presence or the appointment of a local representative. However, since 2010, as announced by the Libyan Spider Network, all “.ly” domain names shorter than four characters may only be registered by companies with a presence in Libya, and the registration must be processed through Libya Telecom and Technology. In addition, according to the official website for the top-level domain of Libya's registry, domain names must not contain "obscene, scandalous, indecent, or contrary to Libyan law or Islamic morality words, phrases nor abbreviations".
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20100605033807/http://www.libyanspider.com/m/announcements.php?id=16
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231129113908/https://web-solutions.eu/domain-registration-africa.htm
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231205143401/https://benmetcalfe.com/blog/2010/10/the-ly-domain-space-to-be-considered-unsafe/
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231209023613/https://nic.ly/regulations.php
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LIBYA
Since January 2010, last amended in April 2023
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Licensing schemes for digital services and applications
Law No. 23-2010 regarding Commercial Activity
قانون رقم 23 لسنة 2010 م بشأن النشاط التجاري
قانون رقم 23 لسنة 2010 م بشأن النشاط التجاري
According to Art. 1355 of Law No. 23-2010, it is not permissible to practice any commercial activity or conduct any business within Libya except after obtaining a license. This process includes obtaining a Commercial Register certificate, registering with the Chamber of Commerce and the tax and labour departments, and then obtaining a working license. It is reported that in May 2019, the government suspended the licenses of 40 foreign firms, including Alcatel-Lucent (owned by Nokia) and Microsoft, asking for their renewal.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20240123075235/https://lawsociety.ly/web/20240123075235/https://lawsociety.ly/legislation/%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%85-23-%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9-2010...
- https://web.archive.org/web/20230325081847/https://cbl.gov.ly/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%85-23-%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A92010-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A...
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251215171142/https://freedomhouse.org/country/libya/freedom-net/2024
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LIBYA
Since September 2022
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Licensing schemes for digital services and applications
Resolution No. 811-2022 regarding the approval of the conditions and controls for practising media activity
Art. 2.4 of Decision No. 811-2022, a license is required in the event that an audio channel or visual channel, satellite or terrestrial, affiliated with a foreign company or an entity operating outside Libya, as well as its headquarters outside Libya, wishes to open an office, branch, or activity within the Libyan state. The license requires approvals from the Foreign Media Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approval of the Libyan Intelligence Service, and Security approval, among others. It was reported in September 2022, that, while the decision largely targets television and radio outlets, it could negatively affect the online space as many of those operators maintain an online and social media presence.
Coverage Media sector
Sources
- https://lawsociety.ly/legislation/%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%82%D9%85-811-%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%A9-2022-%D9%85-%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%A3%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%...
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231003231201/https://www.article19.org/resources/libya-government-must-repeal-new-media-rules/
- https://freedomhouse.org/country/libya/freedom-net/2023
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LIBYA
Since November 2022
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Regulations for the Specific Approval of Communications Devices and Equipment attached to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Government of National Unity No. 985-2022 issuing the Executive Regulations for Law No. 22-2010 on Communications
قرار رقم 985 لسنة 2022 م بإصدار اللوائح التنفيذية للقانون رقم 22 لسنة 2010 م بشأن الاتصالات
قرار رقم 985 لسنة 2022 م بإصدار اللوائح التنفيذية للقانون رقم 22 لسنة 2010 م بشأن الاتصالات
Art. 4.3 of the "Regulations for the Specific Approval of Communications Devices and Equipment attached to Resolution No. 985-2022" requires obtaining a permit from the competent authorities for the import, manufacture, assembly or trade of any telecommunications equipment, which should be in accordance with the approved standards and specifications, and in coordination with the concerned security agencies.
Coverage Telecommunications equipment
LIBYA
Since October 2022
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Other import restrictions, including non-transparent/discriminatory import procedures
Decree No. 944 on the Foreigners’ Participation and Foreign Companies’ Branches and Representative Offices in Libya
قرار رقم 944 لسنة 2022 م بشأن لائحة مساهمة الأجانب وفروع ومكاتب تمثيل الشركات الأجنبية بدولة ليبي
قرار رقم 944 لسنة 2022 م بشأن لائحة مساهمة الأجانب وفروع ومكاتب تمثيل الشركات الأجنبية بدولة ليبي
Art. 5 of Decree No. 944 stipulates that foreign nationals are prohibited from engaging in import and export activities, which are reserved exclusively for domestic persons.
Coverage Import and export activities
LIBYA
Since October 2022
Since January 2010
Since January 2010
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Local content requirements (LCRs) on ICT goods for the commercial market
Decree No. 944 on the Foreigners’ Participation and Foreign Companies’ Branches and Representative Offices in Libya
قرار رقم 944 لسنة 2022 م بشأن لائحة مساهمة الأجانب وفروع ومكاتب تمثيل الشركات الأجنبية بدولة ليبي
Law No. 9-2010 on the Encouragement of Investment
قرار رقم 944 لسنة 2022 م بشأن لائحة مساهمة الأجانب وفروع ومكاتب تمثيل الشركات الأجنبية بدولة ليبي
Law No. 9-2010 on the Encouragement of Investment
Art. 4 of Decree No. 944 imposes an obligation upon foreign companies operating in Libya to facilitate technology transfer, employ local personnel, and provide training for the domestic workforce. Also, in the conduct of their activities, such entities are required to use equipment, machinery, raw materials, and production inputs that are available on the local market. In addition, Art. 6 does not provide any exemption from the mandatory requirement that at least 75% of the workforce be composed of local employees.
Similarly, Art. 7 of Law No. 9-2010 on the Encouragement of Investment states that investment projects involving foreigners must fulfil all or part of the following listed requirements: (i) transferring and localizing knowledge, modern technology, technical expertise, or intellectual property rights; (ii) supporting links and integration between existing economic activities and projects, reducing production costs, or contributing to providing materials and operating requirements for them; (iii) exploiting or assisting in the exploitation of local raw materials; (iv) contributing to the development of remote areas; (v) producing goods for export or contributing to increasing exports, or as a result of which the import of goods is completely or partially dispensed with; (vi) providing a service needed by the national economy or contributing to its improvement, development or rehabilitation and (vii) providing employment opportunities for the Libyan workforce of no less than 30%, and working to train them and provide them with technical skills and expertise.
Similarly, Art. 7 of Law No. 9-2010 on the Encouragement of Investment states that investment projects involving foreigners must fulfil all or part of the following listed requirements: (i) transferring and localizing knowledge, modern technology, technical expertise, or intellectual property rights; (ii) supporting links and integration between existing economic activities and projects, reducing production costs, or contributing to providing materials and operating requirements for them; (iii) exploiting or assisting in the exploitation of local raw materials; (iv) contributing to the development of remote areas; (v) producing goods for export or contributing to increasing exports, or as a result of which the import of goods is completely or partially dispensed with; (vi) providing a service needed by the national economy or contributing to its improvement, development or rehabilitation and (vii) providing employment opportunities for the Libyan workforce of no less than 30%, and working to train them and provide them with technical skills and expertise.
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251215180428/https://lawsociety.ly/en/legislation/decree-no-944-on-the-foreigners-participation-and-foreign-companies-branches-and-representative-offices-in-libya/
- https://cbl.gov.ly/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/06/القانون-رقم-9-لسنة-2010-بشأن-تشجيع-الاستثمار.pdf
- https://web.archive.org/web/20251226210814/https://amereller.com/publication/libya-decree-944-2022-on-the-regulation-of-the-activities-of-foreign-enterprises-in-libya/
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LIBYA
Since September 2021,
as amended in March 2022
as amended in March 2022
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Resolution No. 388-2022 regarding adding goods and materials to the list of goods prohibited for export pursuant to Resolution No. 359-2021
قرار رقم 388 لسنة 2022 م بشأن إضافة سلع ومواد إلى قائمة السلع المحظور تصديرها بموجب القرار رقم 359 لسنة 2021 م
قرار رقم 388 لسنة 2022 م بشأن إضافة سلع ومواد إلى قائمة السلع المحظور تصديرها بموجب القرار رقم 359 لسنة 2021 م
Art. 1 of Resolution No. 388 of 2022 added electrical and electronic devices and equipment to the list of goods prohibited for export pursuant to Resolution No. 359-2021.
Coverage Electric and electronic devices and equipment
LIBYA
Since October 2022
Pillar Quantitative trade restrictions for ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Export restrictions on ICT goods or online services
Decree No. 944 on the Foreigners’ Participation and Foreign Companies’ Branches and Representative Offices in Libya
قرار رقم 944 لسنة 2022 م بشأن لائحة مساهمة الأجانب وفروع ومكاتب تمثيل الشركات الأجنبية بدولة ليبي
قرار رقم 944 لسنة 2022 م بشأن لائحة مساهمة الأجانب وفروع ومكاتب تمثيل الشركات الأجنبية بدولة ليبي
Art. 5 of Decree No. 944 stipulates that foreign nationals are prohibited from engaging in import and export activities, which are reserved exclusively for domestic persons.
Coverage Import and export activities
LIBYA
Since November 2022
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Self-certification for product safety
Regulations for the type approval of telecommunications devices and equipment attached to Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Government of National Unity No. 985 of 2022
لائحة الاعتماد النوعي لأجهزة ومعدات الاتصالات قرار رقم 985 لسنة 2022 مجلس وزراء حكومة الوحدة الوطنية
لائحة الاعتماد النوعي لأجهزة ومعدات الاتصالات قرار رقم 985 لسنة 2022 مجلس وزراء حكومة الوحدة الوطنية
Art. 5 of the Regulations for the type approval of communications devices and equipment attached to Resolution No. 985-2022 states that the competent authority (General Authority for Communications and Informatics) has the right to issue quality approval certificates for telecommunications devices itself or delegate this to other entities. The authority has the right to accredit local and international bodies and laboratories for the purposes of quality approval, and it grants them the right to carry out measurements and tests related to the extent to which telecommunications devices and equipment conform to the approved technical standards. GACI also has the right to conclude memorandums of understanding with local or international bodies with the aim of mutual recognition of qualitative approval of telecommunications devices and inspection certificates. Art. 6.1 stipulates that it is not permissible to use, import, or sell any device after the issued type approval certificate expires unless it is renewed. According to Art. 6.6, GACI may conduct some tests on the devices and equipment in its laboratories or any other laboratories if it deems it necessary and include the device that has been qualitatively approved on the competent authority's website in the international information network.
Coverage Telecom equipment
LIBYA
Since September 2022
Pillar Technical standards applied to ICT goods and online services |
Indicator Restrictions on encryption standards
Law No. 5 of 2022 regarding Combating Cybercrimes
قانون رقم 5 لسنة 2022 م بشأن مكافحة الجرائم الإلكترونية
قانون رقم 5 لسنة 2022 م بشأن مكافحة الجرائم الإلكترونية
Art. 9 of Law No. 5 of 2022 stipulates that no person or entity may produce, possess, supply, market, manufacture, import, or export encryption tools without prior authorisation from the competent authorities.
Coverage Encryption
LIBYA
Since August 2023
Pillar Online sales and transactions |
Indicator Licensing scheme for e-commerce providers
Decision No. 7 of 2023 approving the Regulations Governing the Operation of Electronic Stores
قرار رقم 7 لسنة 2023 م باعتماد لائحة تنظيم عمل المتاجر الإلكترونية
قرار رقم 7 لسنة 2023 م باعتماد لائحة تنظيم عمل المتاجر الإلكترونية
The Regulation on the Organisation of Electronic Store Operations establishes licensing requirements for providers of e‑commerce services.
Coverage E‑commerce sector
LIBYA
Reported in 2023, last reported in 2026
Pillar Content access |
Indicator Presence of Internet shutdowns
Presence of Internet shutdowns
It is reported that in October 2023, the Libyan Arab Armed Forces abruptly severed internet access in Benghazi, Libya's second-largest city, under the pretext of a military operation against a "destructive cell," effectively isolating the city from the rest of the world for over a week. A similar situation occurred in mid-September in the city of Derna following protests triggered by the collapse of dams that resulted in numerous casualties. The Libyan Arab Armed Forces imposed a four-day internet and communication shutdown in response. Additionally, recurrent internet and communications disruptions were reported in Sirte due to demonstrations during 2024.
In addition, the indicator "7.2.4 - Government Internet shut down in practice" of the V-Dem Dataset, which measures whether the government has the technical capacity to actively make internet service cease, thus interrupting domestic access to the internet or whether the government has decided to do so, has a score of 2 in Libya for the year 2025. This corresponds to "The government shut down domestic access to the Internet several times this year."
In addition, the indicator "7.2.4 - Government Internet shut down in practice" of the V-Dem Dataset, which measures whether the government has the technical capacity to actively make internet service cease, thus interrupting domestic access to the internet or whether the government has decided to do so, has a score of 2 in Libya for the year 2025. This corresponds to "The government shut down domestic access to the Internet several times this year."
Coverage Horizontal
Sources
- https://www.v-dem.net/vdemds.html
- https://freedomhouse.org/country/libya/freedom-net/2024#B
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231111074055/https://www.omct.org/en/resources/blog/libya-escalation-of-internet-shutdowns-and-erosion-of-digital-freedom
- https://web.archive.org/web/20231128190314/https://pulse.internetsociety.org/blog/monitoring-reports-of-internet-shutdown-in-libya
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