Dahabshiil

What Dahabshiil does

Dahabshiil is a private remittance service provider enabling individuals, primarily US-based diaspora customers, to send money to recipients in 60-100+ countries across Africa, the Middle East, and other regions. Its primary customer base is the Somali and East African diaspora, with deep market share in the US-to-Horn-of-Africa remittance corridor. The offering centers on a self-serve digital platform (dahabshiil.com) and a mobile application that allow users to send funds via cash pickup, bank account deposit, or mobile wallet. The underlying digital platform, payment technology, and regulated financial services infrastructure are operated and powered by TalkRemit, which functions as the strategic parent company and provides the technology backbone; TalkRemit holds UK FCA Electronic Money Institution authorization, Swedish FSA authorization for EU/EEA customers, and FINTRAC registration in Canada. In the United States, Dahabshil, Inc. (Dublin, Ohio) and Dahab-shil Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota) operate as licensed Money Services Businesses, holding Money Transmitter Licenses in 27 states.

The product surface spans four delivery methods for the same underlying transfer: cash pickup through an agent and branch network across Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Eritrea and beyond; mobile wallet delivery via M-Pesa (Kenya) and eDahab (Somalia); bank account deposits through Kenyan banking partners (Equity Building Society, Barclays Kenya, Cooperative Kenya, Standard Chartered Kenya, National Bank Kenya, Diamond Trust Bank Kenya); and an eWallet feature for stored card details and repeat transfers. Security and compliance infrastructure covers SSL encryption, 2nd-factor authentication, PCI-DSS compliance, AML systems, and regulatory alignment with FinCEN, the Bank Secrecy Act, USA PATRIOT Act, and OFAC. The company is registered as a US MSB and signals compliance with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act via its privacy policy.

Dahabshiil generates revenue primarily through transaction fees on each transfer and currency exchange spreads on cross-border conversions (USD/GBP/EUR into destination currencies). Pricing is not publicly disclosed but is marketed as low-cost with no hidden fees, supported by a Quick Quote calculator; promotional $0.00 fees are offered to new customers. The go-to-market combines a self-serve product-led motion on web and mobile with a community-led motion that leverages the 50+ year brand heritage and diaspora trust for organic acquisition. Distribution is primarily digital with an agent/branch network for last-mile cash delivery, supported by direct marketing through Twitter/X, YouTube, and app store presence. The company has indicated a growth strategy of expanding its US Money Transmitter footprint from 27 states to all 50, subject to applicable licensing and regulatory approvals.

Name

Dahabshiil

Legal name

Dahabshil, Inc.

Website

https://dahabshiil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Dahabshiil is a private remittance provider enabling US-based diaspora customers to send money to recipients across 60-100+ countries, with corridor density in the Horn of Africa. The TalkRemit-powered digital platform supports cash pickup, mobile wallet (M-Pesa, eDahab), and bank deposit delivery under 27 US state Money Transmitter Licenses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Remittance Services

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Remittances (P2P) (FSAMAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Currency Accounts, Wallets & IBAN Services (FSAMAIAG), Cross-Border Collections & Local Receiving (Pay-ins) (FSAMAIAI), Cross-Border Payouts & Mass Disbursements (Pay-outs) (FSAMAIAJ)

Keywords

• International money transfers
• Remittance services
• Cross-border payments
• Diaspora remittances
• Digital wallet services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Money Transfer Service Fees: Dahabshiil charges service fees for each money transfer transaction. Users pay a service fee in addition to the transaction amount. The company offers low transfer fees and competitive exchange rates.
2. Currency Exchange Spread: Revenue generated from exchange rate margins when converting USD/GBP/EUR to destination currencies for international transfers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dahabshiil provides international money transfer and remittance services, primarily enabling diaspora communities in the United States to send funds to recipients in 100+ countries worldwide, with a particular focus on the Horn of Africa and East African corridors. The service is delivered through a web platform and mobile app (powered by TalkRemit technology) and supports multiple delivery methods including cash pickup at physical branches and agent locations, mobile wallet deposits (M-Pesa, eDahab), and direct bank account transfers through partner banks in destination countries.

Product overview

Dahabshiil is a remittance and money transfer services provider offering a unified digital platform for international money transfers. The core offering consists of the Dahabshiil Online Money Transfer Platform (web-based) and the Dahabshiil Mobile App, both powered by TalkRemit technology. Users can send money to 60+ countries and territories worldwide, with particular strength in African corridors. The platform provides multiple transfer methods including eWallet for digital storage, cash pickup through physical branch/agent locations, mobile money transfers (M-Pesa, eDahab), and direct bank account transfers. The service is designed for diaspora communities sending money to family and friends abroad.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dahabshiil Online Money Transfer Platform Web-based international money transfer platform enabling users to send funds to 100+ countries worldwide, powered by TalkRemit technology. Targeted at diaspora customers seeking low-cost transfers with competitive exchange rates and multiple delivery options.
• Dahabshiil Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android that enables users to send money, track transfers, and access free instant chat with video calls to connect with friends and family. Designed for self-serve money transfers on the go.
• Cash Pickup Services Physical branch and agent location network enabling recipients to collect cash transfers in person across supported countries including Somalia, Kenya, and other destinations in Africa.
• Mobile Money Transfers Service enabling transfers directly to mobile wallets including M-Pesa in Kenya and eDahab accounts in Somalia, allowing recipients to receive funds instantly on their phones.
• Bank Account Transfers Direct transfer service to recipient bank accounts in supported countries, with partnerships with banks in Kenya such as Equity Building Society, Barclays, Cooperative Kenya, Standard Chartered, National Bank Kenya, and Diamond Trust Bank Kenya.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TalkRemitcoreTechnology or IntegrationTalkRemit provides the digital platform, payment technology, and regulated financial services infrastructure that support Dahabshiil's online remittance experience. Dahabshiil.com is operated and powered by TalkRemit. TalkRemit has supported digital international money transfers since 2015 and is an Electronic Money Institution regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (UK) and FinSweden for EU/EEA customers.
• Local Banks and Third-Party OutletscoreTechnology or IntegrationDahabshiil works with local banks and other third-party outlets to make funds available to recipients in destination countries. These service providers enable cash pickups and bank account transfers across the network.
• Equity Building Society (Kenya)coreTechnology or IntegrationKenyan banking partner for money transfers to bank accounts. Customers can transfer money to Equity Building Society accounts in Kenya.
• Barclays KenyacoreTechnology or IntegrationBanking partner enabling money transfers to Barclays accounts in Kenya.
• Cooperative KenyacoreTechnology or IntegrationBanking partner for money transfers to Cooperative Bank accounts in Kenya.
• Standard Chartered KenyacoreTechnology or IntegrationBanking partner enabling money transfers to Standard Chartered accounts in Kenya.
• M-PesacoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile money platform integration in Kenya. Recipients can receive money directly to M-Pesa mobile wallets.
• Dahabshill (Somalia)coreTechnology or IntegrationDahabshiil US is integrated with Dahabshill bank accounts in Somalia, enabling online transfers to Dahabshill Saving accounts (e.g., HRGD 37XXX). Dahabshill has provided trusted global remittance services to the Horn of Africa for over 40 years.
• eDahab (Somalia)coreTechnology or IntegrationMobile money service for eDahab accounts in Somalia, enabling recipients to receive transfers directly to their mobile wallets.
• Ahmed Yusuf (Djibouti)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCash pickup location in Djibouti at P.O. Box 4023, Avenue georges Clemenceau, Djibouti. Phone: 523-352189 / 3982.
• National Bank KenyacoreTechnology or IntegrationBanking partner for money transfers to National Bank accounts in Kenya for cash pickup.
• Diamond Trust Bank KenyacoreTechnology or IntegrationBanking partner enabling money transfers to Diamond Trust Bank accounts in Kenya.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sendwave: Mobile-first remittance app focused on African and Asian corridors from US, UK, and Canada. Directly comparable to Dahabshiil on diaspora-to-Africa money transfers and mobile money payouts.
• Wave (Sendwave parent): Mobile money operator in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, and other African markets, with parent company operating Sendwave. Comparable to Dahabshiil on mobile money infrastructure in Africa and US-to-Africa remittances.
• Remitly: Digital-first remittance company serving diaspora corridors including Africa with mobile app and self-serve platform. Directly competes with Dahabshiil on the US-to-Africa corridor with similar target customer (diaspora sending money home).
• WorldRemit: Digital money transfer operator with strong presence in Africa including mobile money payouts to M-Pesa. Highly comparable to Dahabshiil across African corridors and diaspora customer base.
• Wise (TransferWise): Digital cross-border payments company known for transparent pricing and mid-market FX rates. Competes with Dahabshiil on US-to-Africa corridors especially for bank-account-based transfers and modern UX expectations.
• Taptap Send: Mobile-first remittance app targeting diaspora corridors to Africa and South Asia with zero-fee promotional pricing. Comparable to Dahabshiil on US diaspora to Africa flows and mobile-first customer experience.

Broad incumbents

• Western Union: Global incumbent in cross-border money transfers with the largest agent network worldwide. Overlaps with Dahabshiil on cash pickup and Africa corridors but serves a much broader geography and customer base.
• MoneyGram: Established global money transfer operator with deep agent network across Africa. Comparable to Dahabshiil's cash pickup model but at much larger scale and broader corridor coverage.
• Ria Money Transfer: Established money transfer operator with extensive agent network including in Africa. Comparable to Dahabshiil's cash pickup model across multiple corridors with broader geographic coverage.
• Xoom (PayPal): PayPal-owned digital remittance service offering transfers to Africa and other emerging markets. Comparable to Dahabshiil on cross-border digital money transfer flows from US to African destinations.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dahabshil
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DahabshiilApp

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dahabshiil