Mecca, Saudi Arabia –As millions of Muslims prepare for the Hajj pilgrimage in 2025, DahabPlus, a leading digital wallet platform, has rolled out a timely campaign to ensure pilgrims stay connected with their loved ones. The fintech app, known for its remittance and mobile top-up services, is offering seamless global airtime top-ups for Saudi Arabia’s major telecom networks—STC, Zain, and Mobily—directly through its platform, addressing a critical need for the over 2 million pilgrims expected to attend Hajj this year, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) 2024 report.
The campaign, launched on May 15, 2025, via a post on X , features a step-by-step guide in Somali, showcasing DahabPlus’s commitment to accessibility for East African diaspora communities. The guide instructs users to download the app, select a Saudi number to top up, and complete the transaction using their eDahab PIN. This focus on Somali-speaking users reflects the app’s strategic targeting of East African pilgrims, a significant demographic during Hajj. A 2023 Reloadly report noted a 30% global increase in mobile airtime top-ups as a remittance tool, underscoring the relevance of this service for diaspora communities.
DahabPlus’s promotional imagery prominently features the iconic Abraj Al Bait Towers in Mecca, tying the campaign to the spiritual and cultural significance of Hajj. The app’s interface, displayed in the campaign visuals, highlights its user-friendly design, allowing pilgrims to top up airtime for as little as $9.30 for a 28.75 SAR STC package. This affordability aligns with the growing demand for cost-effective communication solutions during Hajj, as noted in a 2025 Airlink Hajj and Umrah article, which emphasized the importance of reliable SIM cards and connectivity for pilgrims in Mecca and Madinah.
The initiative also taps into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of achieving 70% non-cash transactions by 2030. According to the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), digital payments in the Kingdom surged by 75% between 2020 and 2024, driven by government-backed fintech initiatives like FinTech Saudi. DahabPlus’s digital wallet and airtime top-up features position it as a key player in this cashless transformation, offering pilgrims a modern solution to manage their financial needs during the sacred journey.
“DahabPlus is more than just a digital wallet—it’s a lifeline for pilgrims,” said a spokesperson for the company. “Whether you’re performing Hajj or Umrah, staying connected with family is essential. Our app ensures that pilgrims can easily top up their Saudi numbers and focus on their spiritual journey without worrying about communication barriers.”
The campaign also includes a follow-up post on May 17, 2025, emphasizing DahabPlus as a “modern wallet” for managing financial services during Hajj and Umrah. With links to download the app on Google Play and the App Store, and a live chat support number (065-800-000), DahabPlus is positioning itself as a comprehensive financial companion for pilgrims.
As Hajj 2025 approaches, expected to begin around June 4 based on the Islamic lunar calendar, DahabPlus’s campaign highlights the intersection of technology, spirituality, and diaspora support. With East Africa leading in mobile money adoption—Kenya scored 97 on Remitscope’s 2024 digital remittance index—the app’s focus on mobile top-ups is a strategic move to capture this tech-savvy market while supporting pilgrims in one of their most sacred journeys.