By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 13 December 2025 - In 2023, the East African region received an estimated $12 billion in diaspora remittances, accounting for roughly six percent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), underscoring the economic importance of diaspora communities.
Remittance flows, particularly to Kenya, continued to rise sharply between 2023 and 2024, with the country recording record-high inflows and growth rates of 18–20 percent in early 2024 compared to the previous year. This sustained growth has fueled increasing demand for efficient, affordable, and reliable digital money transfer platforms.
One service that has benefited from this trend is the Dahabshiil app, a mobile-based remittance platform that has emerged as one of the most trusted money transfer solutions in the region.
Designed primarily for diaspora users, the app enables quick and secure transfers to destinations across Africa and globally, supporting cash pickups, bank deposits, and mobile wallet transfers, including direct integration with platforms such as M-Pesa.
Transactions are typically completed within minutes, and the app offers competitive exchange rates and low transfer fees that often undercut traditional providers.
The Dahabshiil app employs robust security measures, including SSL encryption, anti-money laundering systems, and multi-factor authentication, ensuring that user transactions are safeguarded. With multiple payout options spanning more than 60 countries, recipients can receive funds through cash pickup locations, bank accounts, or mobile wallets.
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Users can further enhance convenience by creating a secure digital eWallet for faster repeat transactions.
A key strength of Dahabshiil lies in its hybrid model, which combines advanced digital technology with a long-established physical agent network. With over 24,000 agent locations, the platform bridges the gap between digital and cash-based systems, making it particularly accessible in regions with limited formal banking infrastructure. Funds sent via the app can be instantly collected as cash, ensuring inclusion for recipients without bank accounts or smartphones.
Beyond simple money transfers, the app offers integrated communication tools such as free instant chat and video calling, enabling users to connect with family and friends on the same platform they use for financial support.
Dahabshiil’s long-standing reputation—built over more than 50 years—has fostered a high level of trust within diaspora communities, which is particularly valuable in regions where formal banking has historically been scarce or viewed with skepticism.
As part of the larger Dahabshiil Group, which encompasses Dahabshiil Bank International and MicroDahab MFI, the app offers a more integrated financial ecosystem beyond just remittances.
As remittance volumes continue to grow, platforms like the Dahabshiil app are playing an increasingly critical role in supporting families, promoting financial inclusion, and sustaining economic activity across East Africa, while combining digital innovation with trusted, community-centered financial services.
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