// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Ibrahim Dheere? Deer-ly loved leader?
Ibrahim Dheere | |
|---|---|
| Ibraahim Cabdi Kaahin | |
 | |
| Born | ca. 1920 |
| Died | 12 Novemter 2015 |
| Occupation | Businessperson |
Ibrahim Abdi Kahin (Somali: Ibraahim Cabdi Kaahin, ca.1920 - 12 Novemter 2015), known as Ibrahim Dheere (Somali: Ibraahim Dheere) was a businessperson, who is one of the wealthiest people among the Somali people. He made his fortune in Djibouti and later moved to Somaliland. "Dheere" is his nickname, which means "tall person."[1]
Biography
[edit]Dheere was born in the British Somaliland[2] around 1920.[3] He belongs to Habr Awal, Isaaq clan.[4]
In the early 1980s, he started a trading business, focusing primarily on food import and distribution.[5]
Due to the Somali Civil War from 1991, all ports within Somalia include Somaliland had been closed due to sanctions. Ibrahim Dhere attempted to sail a ship loaded with food to the Port of Berbera, but since the insurance company refused to provide coverage, he paid the security deposit himself to proceed with the voyage. Because the ship's captain confirmed that the Port of Berbera was peaceful, the sanctions against the port were subsequently lifted.[6]
At the 1993 Borama Conference, Muhammad Egal, a member of the Habr Awal clan, was elected president of Somaliland. Egal received substantial funds from Habr Awal merchants, and among them, the amount provided by Dheere was by far the largest.[7] In return, Egal offered generous tax exemptions on their cargo transported via the Port of Berbera.[8]
Egal established the 1st Brigade of the Somaliland Armed Forces. Dhere provided funds to purchase three months' worth of food for the Brigade. Furthermore, when the Armed Forces' 2nd Brigade was established, a large amount of funding was required, in response to the government's request, he paid 10 years' worth of rent for the state-owned warehouse in advance. In addition, approximately 1.1 million U.S. dollars were needed to print the new Somaliland shilling and for other related expenses; while funds were raised from several businesspeople, Dhere provided nearly 400,000 U.S. dollars to cover the shortfall.[9] Furthermore, when the banknote was introduced, he contributed collateral funds (estimated at 2 million U.S. dollars.)[10]
Habr Awal business leaders such as Ibrahim Dhere and Jama Omar moved their operations from Djibouti to Somaliland. At that time, high duties were imposed on livestock exports, so they mainly imported daily necessities from Thailand and made substantial profits by bartering them for livestock in the interior.[4]
In 2004, his daughter, Hasna Ibrahim Abdi, founded "IAK Real Estate & Investment" in Hargeisa. IAK refers to the initials of Ibrahim Abdi Kahin.[5]
Dheere's net worth was estimated at 1.6 billion U.S. dollars, and he was said to be the wealthiest person in the Somali community.[2]
Death
[edit]In November 2015, he died while hospitalized at one of Djibouti's largest hospitals.[10] He was nearly 100 years old when he died.[3]
In response to his death, Somaliland President Silanyo expressed his condolences.[3]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Somali capital new mayor says 'time of terrorists is over'". Sudan Tribune. 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- 1 2 "Breaking: Ibrahim Dheere Tycoon Passes Away in Djibouti". Somaliland Informer. 2015-11-12. Archived from the original on 2018-01-24. Retrieved 2026-07-22.
- 1 2 3 "Ganacsade caan ah oo Jabuuti ku geeriyooday" [Famous businessman dies in Djibouti]. BBC Somali. 2015-11-12. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 Ahmed M. Musa (2019). "From trust to oligopoly: Institutional change in livestock trade in Somaliland after 1991" (PDF). DIIS Working Paper. 2019 (08). Danish Institute for International Studies. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 "L Company Profile IAK 2". Scribd. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "Prof. Maxamed Siciid Gees – Qeybtii 50aad: Dharaaro Xusuustood – Horumarinta Dekedda Berbera" [Prof. Mohamed Said Gees - Part 50: Days of Memories - Development of the Port of Berbera]. Saxafi Media. 2016-05-28. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- ↑ Phillips, Sarah (2013). Political Settlements and State Formation: The Case of Somaliland (PDF) (Technical report). Developmental Leadership Program. Research Paper 23. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ Phillips, Sarah G. (2016-05-06). "When less was more: external assistance and the political settlement in Somaliland" (PDF). International Affairs. 92 (3): 629–645. doi:10.1111/1468-2346.12601. Retrieved 2026-07-25.
- ↑ "Dooda Kharashka Doorashada Mudeysan: Yaa Labeeyey Oo Liibaaney!" [Debate on the cost of scheduled elections: Who supported and succeeded!]. Gabiley News Online. 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2026-07-20.
- 1 2 "Ibraahim Dheere: Ganacsidihii Ugu Maal-qabaysnaa Geyiga Soomaalida Oo Djibouti Ku Geeriyooday" [Ibraahim Dheere: The richest businessman in the Somali region passed away in Djibouti]. Saxafi Media. 2015-11-13. Retrieved 2026-07-20.