Mogadishu, Somalia: Dahabshiil, which has more
than 24,000 agents and branches in 144
countries, plans to introduce banking systems including ATM machines in
the country. In late
2009, it rolled out electronic banking in Hargeisa teaming-up with leading
Somaliland retail
stores. Dahabshiil also opened an Islamic bank in neighbouring Djibouti in
early 2009.
Dahabshiil Financial Services (Dahabshiil) is the largest remittance
company in the Horn of
Africa. It was founded in the 70s as a general trading enterprise in
Somalia by a Somali
entrepreneur, Mohamed Says Dualeh, who through exceptional business
acumen, hard work and a
rare knack for identifying opportunities has demonstrated how the pursuit
of commercial
interests can support social and economic development. When the Somali
government collapsed
in 1991, along with all its institutions, Mohamed Says saw a void in the
financial sector
and developed a vision to keep Somalis in the Diaspora firmly linked to
their families in
the devastated country.
Dahabshiil has an extensive worldwide money transfer network serving
Diaspora communities
from East Africa, in particular, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Sudan, and
Ethiopia, providing
them with a vital and often life-saving link to their home countries.
Dahabshiil has the
largest network, with over 220 outlets, in the Somali regions, and holds
the largest market
share among all remitters to the country.
In addition to money remittance, Dahabshiil Group includes companies in
general trade, real
estate, construction, and telecommunication. It is also a major
shareholder of Somtel, a
leading private telecommunication company serving the Somali regions.
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