# Abdirashid Duale (Cabdirashiid Duale)

> Abdirashid Duale (born 1977): Burao-born CEO of Dahabshiil, who grew his father's company across new markets.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/people/abdirashid-duale/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Who is he?

Abdirashid Duale is a Somali businessman and the CEO of [Dahabshiil](/en/businesses/dahabshiil/), an international money transfer company ([Wikipedia, Abdirashid Duale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirashid_Duale)). This page covers his public role in business.

## Background

He was born in [Burao](/en/regions/togdheer/) in 1977 ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirashid_Duale)). His father, [Mohamed Said Duale](/en/people/mohamed-said-duale/), founded Dahabshiil in Burao in 1970 (same source). It began as an import-export business ([African Arguments, "Making money in Somaliland", 2012](https://africanarguments.org/2012/02/making-money-in-somaliland-meeting-abdirashid-duale-ceo-dahabshiil-by-magnus-taylor/)). His own career began in the family shop in Burao ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirashid_Duale)).

## After the war

He said the family "more or less we lost everything" in the civil war ([African Arguments](https://africanarguments.org/2012/02/making-money-in-somaliland-meeting-abdirashid-duale-ceo-dahabshiil-by-magnus-taylor/)). Many Somalis moved to Europe, America and the Gulf, and still wanted to support relatives at home. Money transfer became the firm's main work (same source). See [hawala and money transfer companies](/en/economy/hawala-and-money-transfer-companies/).

## Leading the company

He took over when his father retired and expanded into new markets ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdirashid_Duale)). The company has offices in London and Dubai (same source). Wikipedia says it employs more than 2,000 people and serves businesses, families and international bodies (same source). Later reports give higher figures. In 2012 he was dividing his time between London, Hargeisa and Dubai ([African Arguments](https://africanarguments.org/2012/02/making-money-in-somaliland-meeting-abdirashid-duale-ceo-dahabshiil-by-magnus-taylor/)). The firm works through many thousands of small transfers and is known for speed and trust (same source).

## Rules and partners

After 2001, rules on money transfer became much stricter. He said "compliance is number 1" ([African Arguments](https://africanarguments.org/2012/02/making-money-in-somaliland-meeting-abdirashid-duale-ceo-dahabshiil-by-magnus-taylor/)). Dahabshiil moves funds for the UN, Save the Children and Oxfam (same source). It works in parts of southern Somalia where few other services reach (same source).

## The diaspora as investors

He has said the diaspora is the largest source of investment in Somalia, mainly in housing and building ([African Arguments](https://africanarguments.org/2012/02/making-money-in-somaliland-meeting-abdirashid-duale-ceo-dahabshiil-by-magnus-taylor/)). See [Somalis in London](/en/diaspora/london/).

## In short

Chief executive of Dahabshiil, the money transfer company founded by his father in Burao.

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