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Dahabshiil Review

Dahabshiil
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Danielle Greving
Aug. 01, 2023
4 min read
Danielle Greving author image
Dahabshiil Summary
Founded in 1970, Dahabshiil is Africa’s largest international money transfer company. You can make transfers via Dahabshiil’s app, choosing from different payout options including bank account transfer, cash pickup, or mobile wallet delivery in over 90 countries worldwide, including countries in underserved locations. You can transfer money to individuals, legal entities, and international organizations.

Pros

  • Can transfer money via smartphone app
  • Variety of payout options available
  • Easy online signup

Cons

  • Transfer fees vary depending on destination country

Dahabshiil at a glance

8.8
Editorial score

Fees?

% of transfer or flat rate
8.0

Transfer time

Under an hour
10.0

Customer service

Help from an agent over the phone or through live chat available
8.0

Security

Regulated and encrypted secure transfers
8.0

Online and mobile experience

Excellent site and app with transparency of rates, mobile transfers and transfers from credit cards as well as bank accounts
10.0

Dahabshiil Dahabshiil Visit Site

Dahabshiil Fees and Rates

Dahabshill charges a flat fee per transfer, which includes the commission fee and the exchange rate markup. Fees and rates vary depending on your location, the location of your recipient, and the amount you’re sending. You can use the website’s currency calculator to discover how much you’ll pay per transaction, and there are no hidden fees.

Generally speaking, you’ll pay between 0% to 5% of fees depending on which country you send money to and from. For example, if you were to send £100 from the UK to Somalia, you would pay a £2.5 fee. For the same origin and destination country, you’d pay a £6.40 fee if you were to send $500.

Dahabshiil allows you to send your first transfer for free. Additionally, Dahabshiil will never charge your recipient any fees. 

How Does It Work?

Signing up for a Dahabshiil account is easy. First, click the “Register” button on the website or mobile app. Then, you’ll need to enter your country of residence (and in some cases, your state). Note that if you don’t see your country/state on the dropdown menu, you won’t be able to use Dahabshiil’s services.

Next, you must enter your phone number, email address, and your chosen password. Dahabshiil will send you a verification code via email and text to activate your account. You can then link the app to a debit card, credit card, or bank account. You can also add money to your mobile wallet or use your wallet balance. 

If you wish to send money via the app, just sign in and select “Send money.” (The recipient will also need to have a Dahabshiil account.)

You can then enter the amount you wish to send, select your recipient and preferred delivery method, and then hit “Send.” Before sending, the screen will display a clear breakdown of your proposed transfer, including the associated fee.

If you wish to send money in person, you’ll need to bring photo identification (driver’s license, ID card, or passport) to your local Dahabshiil branch. There, an agent will help you complete the transfer process.

How Long Does It Take?

Sending money via the app should take just a few minutes, as you only need to enter a few details before hitting send. However, the process can take longer in-branch if there are other customers in line. 

How long it takes your recipient to receive their money will depend on your selected transfer method. Typically, they’ll receive it instantly if you use the mobile app, but it can sometimes take up to five minutes. If they’re picking up cash at a Dahabshiil location, the money should also be ready instantly, but it can also sometimes take up to five minutes. 

Transferring money from a bank account also typically happens instantly but can take up to three business days depending on your bank and when you send the money. For example, if you send the money over a weekend or holiday, it may take longer. 

Dahabshiil Top Highlights

Dahabshiil really stands out for its usability. The website is straightforward and intuitive, and you can complete the signup and money transfer process in just a few steps. Additionally, you can set up email and push notifications to track your transfer, so you never have to worry about where your money is. 

Another great feature is the number of pay-in and pay-out options. You can choose to send money in seconds via the mobile app, or you can visit one of Dahabshiil’s 24,000 locations to have an agent assist you with sending money in person. 

The same is true of receiving money. Your recipient can either store money in their Dahabshiil account, have the money transferred to their bank account, or collect the money in cash at a Dahabshiil branch. 

Customer Support

Dahabshiil has a helpful FAQs page and also offers 24/7 assistance via several support channels. You can get in touch via live chat or email support@dahabshilusa.com. You can expect a response to your email within one day. 

In the US, you can also phone 866-428-7799 around the clock. You can expect to get through to a representative in a few minutes. You can also head to a branch for in-person customer support. There’s a full list of branch locations on the Dahabshiil website. 

Dahabshiil was the Winner of two Global Good Governance Awards in the category “Best Services to Diaspora and Excellence in Money Transfer” in 2022.

Privacy and Security

Dahabshiil uses end-to-end encryption via secure sockets layer (SSL), anti-money laundering (AML) systems, and digital certificates to secure its transactions. 

The company is also an authorized payment institution of the Payment Services Regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, which is responsible for protecting consumers from harm caused by poor conduct in financial services. 

Online Experience

Dahabshiil offers a solid online experience—you can set up an account and send money in a few simple steps. While the app is easy to navigate, some users have complained that it is a bit slow. However, Dahabshiil updates it frequently to make improvements and fix bugs. 

Pricing is very transparent—you’ll always see a list of the associated fees before you transfer your money. And while the fees are all bundled into one flat rate, Dahabshiil will provide you with a receipt so you can better understand the cost breakdown. 

Summary

Dahabshiil is a quick and reliable money transfer service. Signup is easy, and once your account is set up, you can send and receive money instantly via a mobile app or in person. 

The company always tells you the fees before your transaction takes place. Additionally, you have a variety of transfer methods to choose from, including using a bank account transfer, debit card, credit card, or mobile wallet. Dahabshiil will also help you track your transfer, and both you and your recipient will receive notifications.

Recipients can choose to keep the money in their mobile wallet, transfer it to a bank account, or pick it up as cash at one of Dahabshiil’s 24,000 branch locations. If you need assistance with your transfer at any point, Dahabshiil offers a number of support channels, including live chat, phone, and email, as well as a robust FAQ page. 

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Methodology

This review was compiled using information from the Dahabshiil website and by speaking to Dahabshiil customer service agents. Information was also compiled from Trustpilot and the Apple App Store. 

Danielle Greving author image
Written by
Danielle Greving
Danielle is a tech and finance writer with experience in personal finance, cryptocurrency and numerous SaaS companies. Her bylines can be found on MoneyTips, CoinMarketCap, GraniteShares and Top10.com. An avid traveler and former ESL teacher, Danielle's writing blends a wealth of technical and financial knowledge with simple and straightforward explanations for everyday readers.
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