Mr Abdirashid Duale, the Chief Executive Officer of Dahabshiil
The chief executive of Dahabshiil, one of Africa’s largest money transfer groups, has urged the United States and United Kingdom to ensure the continent is included in their newly signed Technology Prosperity Agreement, warning that Africa cannot afford to be left behind in the next wave of innovation.
Speaking at a press conference, Abdirashid Duale welcomed the pact — announced during US President Donald Trump’s state visit to London this month — as a “breakthrough” but insisted its benefits must extend beyond the transatlantic corridor.
Duale who had previously been invited to President Trump’s inauguration, said he understood how highly both the US and UK valued global business partnerships.
“While technology is transforming lives across the globe, Africa must keep up with the pace or risk being left behind,” Duale said.
He added: “Mobile money and fintech platforms have already given millions their first access to financial services. With the right backing, African innovations could scale globally.”
The UK–US deal, presented as more than a conventional trade agreement, commits an estimated £150bn in investment from American technology giants including Microsoft, Nvidia, Google and CoreWeave.
The funding is directed towards clean energy infrastructure, AI-driven research and grid modernisation, underscoring London’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of the next industrial revolution.
US President Donald Trump, left, and UK Prime lMinister Sir Keir Starmer after they signed the tech prosperity dealMicrosoft alone pledged $30bn — its largest single investment outside the US — in what UK ministers described as a vote of confidence in Britain’s industrial strategy.
Officials expect the inflows to accelerate renewable deployment, strengthen energy security and reinforce the UK’s status as a global hub for frontier technologies.
Duale warned, however, that such initiatives should not exclude Africa.
“In cities like Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Lagos, Kampala and Kigali, young entrepreneurs are building apps that address local challenges,” he said.
“These solutions deserve global exposure. Africa’s talent must be part of the next wave of innovation.”
He underlined the urgency of Africa’s energy deficit, where hundreds of millions remain without electricity.
“As the US and UK debate how to balance renewables with fossil fuels, Africa faces a more basic challenge: access to power,” he said.
“That is why Dahabshiil is investing in energy for underserved communities. Access to power changes lives — it enables children to study at night, farmers to irrigate their fields and businesses to grow.”
The Dahabshiil network, which operates in more than 120 countries including the UK and US, channels billions of dollars in annual remittances from the diaspora to households and small businesses.
Duale argued that these flows highlight Africa’s ability to mobilise resources and attract international investment.
“Remittances already finance schools, families and small enterprises. Imagine the impact if these were matched by major international investment,” he said.
“Africa does not need charity. It needs inclusion, investment and partnership. This is Africa’s time — it is time for Africa to have a seat at the table.”