Yemen is a rather complex region globally. This is due to the conflict and regime divisions that have occurred there. This issue inevitably has a significant impact on Yemen type approval for all telecom and wireless products seeking to enter the country.
Legally, products entering this country are required to have MTIT certification. MTIT stands for Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology. This is the authority that regulates Yemen type approval.
Due to the conflict and regime divisions, Yemen compliance has followed a dual framework since 2015. The Ministry of Telecommunications under the internationally recognized government is the Aden Authority. Meanwhile, the Sana’a Authority regulates with its own version of the Ministry of Telecommunications.
Differences in Authority Affect Certification Acceptance
The Aden and Sana’a authorities operate independently, and neither recognizes the other’s certificates. As of January 15, 2026, this duality is fully operational, with no mutual recognition between the two authorities.
As such, certificates issued by one party are not valid in areas controlled by the other. This situation can lead to delays or even refusals when goods move between areas controlled by Sana’a and those controlled by Aden.
Aden Authority
The Aden Authority is an authority under the legitimate and internationally recognized government of Yemen. Its jurisdiction covers Aden and other southern regions. This authority is responsible for certification for imports entering through the southern entry points.
Sana’a Authority
The Sana’a Authority is an authority under the Houthis administration. Its jurisdiction covers the northern regions and the capital city of Sana’a. They issue the certification for products destined for their controlled territory.
Certification Procedure Scheme in Two Different Authorities
The Aden Authority recently launched its latest certification scheme. Earlier this year, this authority officially mandated its own certification for all goods entering the territory under its control.
Under this scheme, all MTIT certification applications through the Aden authority must include a schematic diagram of the certified product. All manufacturers importing goods through southern Yemen are required to follow this certification process.
Meanwhile, the Sana’a Authority has a slightly different scheme. The authority only provides electronic certificates that serve as preliminary documents for shipment.
The MTIT certificate issued by the Sana’a Authority is processed through the existing platform, although issuance timelines may vary. At a later stage, the electronic version of the certificate will still require a final paper certificate. The aim is to make it an official reference for validation.
Impact for Yemen Type Approval
This dual authority system has a significant impact on manufacturers, importers, and distributors seeking to bring telecom and wireless devices into this country. They have no choice but to have a distribution plan for the devices before applying for Yemen type approval.
For the distribution of devices in the southern region, MTIT certification from the Aden Authority is required. Meanwhile, for the distribution of devices from the northern region, MTIT certification from the Sana’a Authority is mandatory.
If devices are intended for distribution across both northern and southern Yemen, two separate MTIT certificates are required. This is because the two authorities do not recognize each other’s certificates.
In this case, the manufacturer’s distribution strategy and market coverage will determine which certification to pursue. Certification must be aligned with the target market and logistics to ensure a smooth customs process.