Skip to content
FX

Afronomics comparison · Africa

What it costs to send money home

For every sending country the World Bank surveys into Africa: what a family loses in fees and exchange-rate margin when someone sends the equivalent of $200, the cheapest service surveyed, and how each kind of provider compares. The world’s target (UN Sustainable Development Goal 10.c) is 3%.

Sending $200 into Africa costs, on average

$18.08

9.04% of the money, against a 3% target

97 corridors, surveyed January to March 2025

5.86%

from outside Africa (74 corridors)

19.27%

between African countries (23 corridors)

3 of 97

corridors at or under the 3% target

36

African countries receiving

Sending money between African countries costs about 3.3 times as much as sending it from outside Africa. The dearest corridors are within the continent. Where banks were surveyed beside other providers, they were the dearest in 38 of 43 corridors.

January to March 2025

Cheapest corridors

Jordan → Egypt2.31%$4.62 on $200
Belgium → Algeria2.49%$4.98 on $200
Kuwait → Egypt2.87%$5.74 on $200
United Arab Emirates → Egypt3.12%$6.24 on $200
France → Senegal3.13%$6.26 on $200
Canada → Nigeria3.29%$6.58 on $200

January to March 2025

Dearest corridors

Tanzania → Uganda63.62%$127.24 on $200
Tanzania → Kenya58.17%$116.34 on $200
Tanzania → Rwanda44.27%$88.54 on $200
South Africa → Malawi43.35%$86.70 on $200
Senegal → Mali25.70%$51.40 on $200
Rwanda → Kenya17.72%$35.44 on $200

By country

Find your corridor

Average total cost across the services surveyed; the cheapest single service; the change on the quarter before.

Sending money to Algeria

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Belgium3 services · transfer companies 2.49%2.49%$4.98Paysend 2.49%Money Transfer Operator+0.05 pts

Sending money to Angola

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
South Africa15 services · transfer companies 12.39% · bank / money transfer operator 13.01% · banks 22.09%16.40%$32.80Hello-Paisa 8.20%Money Transfer Operator−1.17 pts

Sending money to Botswana

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
South Africa30 services · transfer companies 10.55% · bank / money transfer operator 12.24% · banks 26.30%14.86%$29.72Hello-Paisa 4.27%Money Transfer Operator+0.14 pts

Sending money to Cabo Verde

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Portugal6 services · transfer companies 4.93%4.93%$9.86MoneyGram 3.30%Money Transfer Operator+1.18 pts
United States13 services · transfer companies 7.22% · banks 22.50%9.57%$19.14Walmart2World 4.10%Money Transfer Operator−1.19 pts

Sending money to Cameroon

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France22 services · transfer companies 4.85%4.85%$9.70Ace Money Transfer 1.60%Money Transfer Operator+1.05 pts

Sending money to Comoros

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France16 services · bank / money transfer operator 3.19% · transfer companies 4.94%4.83%$9.66Western Union 2.85%Money Transfer Operator−0.10 pts

Sending money to DR Congo

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Belgium19 services · transfer companies 5.46% · money transfer operator / post office 8.63%5.63%$11.26MoneyGram 1.33%Money Transfer Operator−0.21 pts

Sending money to Côte d'Ivoire

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France24 services · mobile money 2.16% · bank / money transfer operator 2.94% · transfer companies 4.33%4.18%$8.36TapTap Send 1.61%Money Transfer Operator+0.08 pts

Sending money to Egypt

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Jordan13 services · transfer companies 2.14% · banks 4.29%2.31%$4.62MoneyGram 1.46%Money Transfer Operatorsame
Kuwait23 services · transfer companies 2.87%2.87%$5.74Lulu Money 2.70%Money Transfer Operator+0.10 pts
United Arab Emirates14 services · banks 1.05% · transfer companies 3.28%3.12%$6.24DirectRemit (NBD) 1.05%Bank−0.74 pts
Bahrain7 services · transfer companies 4.50%4.50%$9.00Bahrain Financing Company 2.60%Money Transfer Operator+0.58 pts
United States18 services · transfer companies 4.62%4.62%$9.24MoneyGram 1.90%Money Transfer Operator−0.97 pts
Saudi Arabia12 services · transfer companies 3.64% · banks 10.89%5.45%$10.90STC Pay 2.79%Money Transfer Operator+0.32 pts
Qatar5 services · transfer companies 5.56% · banks 7.97%6.04%$12.08Western Union 2.62%Money Transfer Operator−0.07 pts
Italy25 services · money transfer operator / post office 3.67% · post office 4.08% · transfer companies 5.34% · bank / money transfer operator 14.52% · banks 30.05%12.19%$24.38Western Union 1.57%Money Transfer Operator+1.65 pts

Sending money to Eritrea

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United States8 services · transfer companies 6.08%6.08%$12.16Western Union 4.50%Money Transfer Operatorsame
United Kingdom14 services · transfer companies 7.27%7.27%$14.54TalkRemit 3.86%Money Transfer Operator−0.22 pts

Sending money to Eswatini

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
South Africa9 services · transfer companies 1.82% · banks 12.40% · bank / money transfer operator 14.46%11.46%$22.92Shoprite Money Transfer 1.82%Money Transfer Operator−0.19 pts

Sending money to Ethiopia

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United States19 services · transfer companies 5.61%5.61%$11.22Walmart2World 3.00%Money Transfer Operator−0.74 pts
Saudi Arabia4 services · transfer companies 7.25%7.25%$14.50Western Union 3.75%Money Transfer Operator−0.12 pts
United Kingdom17 services · transfer companies 7.57%7.57%$15.14Western Union 3.92%Money Transfer Operator−0.47 pts
Italy21 services · transfer companies 7.56% · money transfer operator / post office 11.13%7.73%$15.46Western Union 4.29%Money Transfer Operator+0.11 pts

Sending money to The Gambia

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Kingdom23 services · transfer companies 12.27%12.27%$24.54YaYeh Instant Services 8.28%Money Transfer Operator+0.18 pts

Sending money to Ghana

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Netherlands26 services · transfer companies 4.80%4.80%$9.60Unity Monetary Services BV 0.52%Money Transfer Operator−0.77 pts
United States28 services · transfer companies 5.00%5.00%$10.00MoneyGram 0.32%Money Transfer Operatorsame
Canada22 services · transfer companies 5.62% · banks 13.06%6.64%$13.28WorldRemit 1.73%Money Transfer Operatorsame
United Kingdom38 services · transfer companies 6.86%6.86%$13.72Unity Link 0.71%Money Transfer Operatorsame
Germany33 services · transfer companies 9.88% · bank / money transfer operator 9.93%9.88%$19.76Remitly 1.78%Money Transfer Operatorsame

Sending money to Kenya

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Kingdom32 services · transfer companies 4.44%4.44%$8.88Skrill 1.57%Money Transfer Operator−0.21 pts
United States31 services · transfer companies 5.20%5.20%$10.40Walmart2World 0.27%Money Transfer Operator−1.15 pts
Canada27 services · transfer companies 6.52% · banks 13.32%7.28%$14.56Royal Bank of Canada 2.17%Bank−0.35 pts
South Africa36 services · mobile money 5.90% · transfer companies 9.33% · bank / money transfer operator 14.46% · banks 28.62%10.45%$20.90Mama Money 4.38%Money Transfer Operatorsame
Rwanda7 services · mobile money 6.99% · transfer companies 8.02% · banks 25.25%17.72%$35.44Ecobank Rapidcash 4.16%Bank+2.15 pts
Tanzania10 services · transfer companies 8.68% · mobile money 10.89% · banks 79.07%58.17%$116.34MoneyGram 8.22%Money Transfer Operator−1.56 pts

Sending money to Lesotho

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
South Africa11 services · transfer companies 6.98% · banks 12.40% · bank / money transfer operator 14.46%11.11%$22.22Shoprite Money Transfer 1.82%Money Transfer Operator−0.16 pts

Sending money to Liberia

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United States18 services · transfer companies 5.76%5.76%$11.52MoneyGram 0.00%Money Transfer Operator+0.13 pts

Sending money to Madagascar

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France15 services · transfer companies 5.17%5.17%$10.34Western Union 1.94%Money Transfer Operator−0.13 pts

Sending money to Malawi

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
South Africa26 services · mobile money 23.00% · transfer companies 32.98% · bank / money transfer operator 40.45% · banks 77.07%43.35%$86.70ABSA via Western Union 14.46%Bank / Money Transfer Operator+26.28 pts

Sending money to Mali

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France16 services · mobile money 2.05% · bank / money transfer operator 3.06% · transfer companies 4.04%3.85%$7.70TapTap Send 1.61%Money Transfer Operator+0.09 pts
Côte d'Ivoire9 services · mobile money 1.50% · transfer companies 2.89% · banks 9.43%5.33%$10.66Ecobank Rapidcash 1.35%Banksame
Senegal6 services · mobile money 1.50% · banks 30.54%25.70%$51.40Orange Money 1.50%Mobile Operator+3.95 pts

Sending money to Morocco

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Belgium31 services · transfer companies 4.26% · money transfer operator / post office 5.30% · banks 8.58%4.57%$9.14MoneyGram 2.15%Money Transfer Operator−0.10 pts
Netherlands25 services · transfer companies 4.75% · banks 13.42%5.10%$10.20Western Union 2.77%Money Transfer Operator−0.12 pts
Germany30 services · transfer companies 4.95% · banks 5.52% · bank / money transfer operator 8.66%5.17%$10.34MoneyGram 3.49%Money Transfer Operator−0.19 pts
Spain24 services · transfer companies 4.82% · banks 22.05%5.54%$11.08Western Union 3.57%Money Transfer Operator+0.15 pts
France40 services · transfer companies 3.75% · bank / money transfer operator 4.04% · banks 24.79%6.40%$12.80Attijariwafa Bank 1.55%Bank+0.48 pts
Italy37 services · money transfer operator / post office 2.46% · transfer companies 4.02% · bank / money transfer operator 6.75% · post office 10.51% · banks 23.20%8.50%$17.00Poste Italiane via Western Union 1.03%Money Transfer Operator / Post Office+0.52 pts
Israel3 services · transfer companies 13.57% · banks 14.91%14.02%$28.04MoneyGram 10.08%Money Transfer Operator+0.67 pts

Sending money to Mozambique

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Portugal14 services · transfer companies 5.01%5.01%$10.02MoneyGram 1.35%Money Transfer Operator+1.11 pts
South Africa35 services · transfer companies 6.60% · bank / money transfer operator 11.46% · banks 20.57%8.87%$17.74Mukuru 3.93%Money Transfer Operator−0.28 pts

Sending money to Nigeria

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Canada13 services · transfer companies 3.29%3.29%$6.58WorldRemit 0.94%Money Transfer Operator−0.19 pts
Netherlands21 services · transfer companies 3.60%3.60%$7.20Remitly 0.04%Money Transfer Operator+0.08 pts
United States20 services · transfer companies 3.62%3.62%$7.24MoneyGram 0.77%Money Transfer Operator−0.74 pts
Germany24 services · transfer companies 3.98% · bank / money transfer operator 4.51%4.01%$8.02WorldRemit 0.21%Money Transfer Operator−2.09 pts
Spain15 services · transfer companies 4.32%4.32%$8.64Remitly 0.17%Money Transfer Operator+2.23 pts
United Kingdom15 services · transfer companies 4.38%4.38%$8.76Sendwave 1.20%Money Transfer Operator+1.28 pts
Cameroon2 services · transfer companies 4.82%4.82%$9.64Western Union 4.52%Money Transfer Operator+0.92 pts
Italy22 services · transfer companies 2.18% · money transfer operator / post office 5.03% · bank / money transfer operator 5.57% · banks 24.84%5.68%$11.36Remitly 0.01%Money Transfer Operator+1.19 pts
Ghana7 services · banks 10.56%10.56%$21.12EcoBank Rapid Transfer 5.39%Bank−1.11 pts
South Africa20 services · bank / money transfer operator 9.73% · transfer companies 11.10% · banks 21.62%13.13%$26.26Mama Money 4.01%Money Transfer Operator+0.12 pts

Sending money to Rwanda

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Canada17 services · transfer companies 5.87% · banks 10.95%6.16%$12.32WorldRemit 2.23%Money Transfer Operator−0.28 pts
Kenya12 services · transfer companies 5.45% · mobile money 8.07% · banks 9.32%7.50%$15.00Dahabshiil 2.78%Money Transfer Operator+0.71 pts
United Kingdom20 services · transfer companies 7.53%7.53%$15.06Remitly 1.99%Money Transfer Operator−0.68 pts
Tanzania6 services · mobile money 6.01% · transfer companies 8.79% · banks 80.68%44.27%$88.54Tigo 6.01%Mobile Operator−1.24 pts

Sending money to Senegal

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France25 services · bank / money transfer operator 2.96% · transfer companies 3.13%3.13%$6.26Western Union 1.28%Money Transfer Operator−0.40 pts
Italy28 services · transfer companies 2.96% · money transfer operator / post office 3.04% · bank / money transfer operator 5.68% · post office 8.57% · banks 28.17%8.66%$17.32Poste Italiane via Western Union 0.86%Money Transfer Operator / Post Office+1.43 pts

Sending money to Sierra Leone

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Kingdom18 services · transfer companies 5.00%5.00%$10.00CashMinute 2.88%Money Transfer Operator−0.68 pts

Sending money to Somalia

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Australia10 services · transfer companies 3.99%3.99%$7.98Western Union 2.65%Money Transfer Operator−0.77 pts
United States5 services · transfer companies 5.60%5.60%$11.20Western Union 4.00%Money Transfer Operator−0.25 pts
Netherlands9 services · transfer companies 6.05%6.05%$12.10WorldRemit 4.42%Money Transfer Operatorsame
United Kingdom17 services · transfer companies 6.81%6.81%$13.62Western Union 3.92%Money Transfer Operator−0.20 pts
Sweden10 services · transfer companies 7.73%7.73%$15.46WorldRemit 5.72%Money Transfer Operator+0.99 pts

Sending money to South Africa

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United States18 services · transfer companies 6.84%6.84%$13.68WorldRemit 1.92%Money Transfer Operator−1.18 pts
United Kingdom25 services · transfer companies 7.04%7.04%$14.08Remitly 2.09%Money Transfer Operatorsame

Sending money to South Sudan

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Arab Emirates3 services · transfer companies 3.32%3.32%$6.64Western Union 2.51%Money Transfer Operator−0.08 pts
United States6 services · transfer companies 5.33%5.33%$10.66MoneyGram 3.00%Money Transfer Operatorsame
United Kingdom8 services · transfer companies 9.16%9.16%$18.32Western Union 6.05%Money Transfer Operator−0.07 pts
Kenya24 services · transfer companies 3.69% · banks 14.13%12.39%$24.78Dahabshiil 2.78%Money Transfer Operator+0.71 pts

Sending money to Sudan

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
Saudi Arabia2 services · transfer companies 3.85%3.85%$7.70Western Union 2.92%Money Transfer Operator−5.82 pts

Sending money to Tanzania

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Kingdom16 services · transfer companies 6.25%6.25%$12.50CashMinute 1.92%Money Transfer Operator+1.76 pts
Kenya26 services · mobile money 1.98% · transfer companies 4.97% · banks 13.71%11.80%$23.60M-Pesa 1.98%Mobile Operator+0.76 pts
South Africa16 services · transfer companies 11.69% · bank / money transfer operator 14.63% · banks 27.88%13.89%$27.78WorldRemit 6.60%Money Transfer Operator−0.12 pts

Sending money to Togo

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France18 services · bank / money transfer operator 2.93% · transfer companies 4.33%4.25%$8.50Western Union 2.47%Money Transfer Operatorsame
Germany14 services · bank / money transfer operator 2.78% · transfer companies 5.17%5.00%$10.00Western Union 2.58%Money Transfer Operator+0.40 pts

Sending money to Tunisia

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
France22 services · bank / money transfer operator 1.54% · banks 2.69% · transfer companies 4.40%4.12%$8.24MoneyGram 1.02%Money Transfer Operator−0.92 pts
Italy22 services · money transfer operator / post office 2.25% · transfer companies 5.74% · bank / money transfer operator 6.60% · post office 10.37% · banks 24.30%8.28%$16.56Poste Italiane via Western Union 1.24%Money Transfer Operator / Post Office+1.52 pts

Sending money to Uganda

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Kingdom33 services · transfer companies 5.04%5.04%$10.08Sendwave 1.52%Money Transfer Operator−0.51 pts
Kenya27 services · transfer companies 5.08% · mobile money 6.51% · banks 13.71%11.90%$23.80Dahabshiil 2.78%Money Transfer Operator+0.83 pts
Tanzania10 services · transfer companies 7.96% · banks 77.54%63.62%$127.24MoneyGram 7.50%Money Transfer Operator−2.69 pts

Sending money to Zambia

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Kingdom26 services · transfer companies 5.58%5.58%$11.16Remitly 2.10%Money Transfer Operator+0.27 pts
South Africa37 services · transfer companies 10.92% · bank / money transfer operator 12.38% · banks 24.39%13.91%$27.82WorldRemit 5.20%Money Transfer Operator+0.27 pts

Sending money to Zimbabwe

FromAverage costOn $200Cheapest surveyedvs quarter before
United Kingdom26 services · transfer companies 5.87%5.87%$11.74WorldRemit 3.32%Money Transfer Operator−0.25 pts
Australia21 services · transfer companies 6.04% · banks 8.52%6.40%$12.80Citibank 2.53%Bank+0.09 pts
Canada19 services · transfer companies 6.33% · banks 11.78%7.47%$14.94Royal Bank of Canada 2.17%Bank−0.21 pts
South Africa40 services · mobile money 5.64% · transfer companies 9.42% · bank / money transfer operator 11.46% · banks 23.63%11.91%$23.82Sasai Money Transfer 4.97%Money Transfer Operator−0.29 pts

Look at what arrives, not the fee

The cost is the fee plus the margin hidden in the exchange rate. A “free” transfer can cost more than one with a fee. Compare the amount your family receives in their own currency.

Banks are usually dearest

Where both were surveyed, banks were the dearest kind of provider in 38 of 43 corridors, often several times what mobile money or transfer companies charge.

Prices change, and so do offers

These are the World Bank’s survey prices for one quarter. A very low price can be a first-transfer offer. Check the service’s own quote on the day you send.

Source: World Bank, Remittance Prices Worldwide, survey of January to March 2025, the latest the World Bank has published as a download. Cost of sending the equivalent of USD 200, including fees and exchange-rate margin, as a percentage of the amount sent; averages are simple averages of the services surveyed in each corridor, which Afronomics computes. Corridors with fewer than two services surveyed are left out. Information, not advice: Afronomics does not recommend any provider. See also how much each country receives.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to send money from United Kingdom to Kenya?
In the World Bank's survey of January to March 2025, sending the equivalent of $200 cost 4.44% on average (about $8.88) across 32 services. The cheapest surveyed was Skrill at 1.57%. Check the provider's own quote on the day you send.
How much does it cost to send money from United States to Nigeria?
In the World Bank's survey of January to March 2025, sending the equivalent of $200 cost 3.62% on average (about $7.24) across 20 services. The cheapest surveyed was MoneyGram at 0.77%. Check the provider's own quote on the day you send.
How much does it cost to send money from South Africa to Zimbabwe?
In the World Bank's survey of January to March 2025, sending the equivalent of $200 cost 11.91% on average (about $23.82) across 40 services. The cheapest surveyed was Sasai Money Transfer at 4.97%. Check the provider's own quote on the day you send.
How much does it cost to send money from United States to Ghana?
In the World Bank's survey of January to March 2025, sending the equivalent of $200 cost 5.00% on average (about $10.00) across 28 services. The cheapest surveyed was MoneyGram at 0.32%. Check the provider's own quote on the day you send.
Why is it so expensive to send money between African countries?
In the World Bank's survey of January to March 2025, sending $200 between African countries cost 19.27% on average, against 5.86% from outside Africa. Where banks were surveyed beside other providers, they were the dearest in 38 of 43 corridors.
What is the global target for remittance costs?
The UN Sustainable Development Goal 10.c aims to cut the cost of sending remittances to under 3% by 2030, and to remove corridors costing more than 5%.

Free, every weekday at 7:00

The Afronomics Morning

Africa’s markets before 7am: the currencies that moved overnight, the auction results that landed, what is due today and the headlines that matter. Plus the Weekly every Monday.