Best App to Send Money to Africa
Compare top mobile apps for African transfers: Fees, speed, mobile money support
🚀 Quick Answer
Best Overall: Sendwave - $0 fees, instant transfers, perfect mobile money integration
Best Rates: Wise - Transparent pricing, real exchange rates, reliable app
Most Countries: Remitly - 40+ African countries, cash pickup options
Fastest Setup: WorldRemit - 5-minute registration, immediate transfers
Top 7 Apps to Send Money to Africa
| App | Transfer Fee | Speed | Mobile Money | App Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sendwave | $0 | Instant | ✅ Excellent | 4.8/5 |
Wise | $4.14 + 0.5% | 1-2 hours | ✅ Good | 4.7/5 |
Remitly | $3.99 - $9.99 | Minutes-hours | ✅ Excellent | 4.6/5 |
WorldRemit | $2.99 - $7.99 | Minutes | ✅ Good | 4.5/5 |
Western Union | $4.99 - $25 | Minutes-hours | ⚠️ Limited | 4.3/5 |
MoneyGram | $4.99 - $20 | 10-60 minutes | ⚠️ Limited | 4.2/5 |
Xoom | $4.99 - $15 | Minutes-hours | ❌ None | 4.1/5 |
📱 Mobile Money Integration Comparison
✅ Excellent Mobile Money Support
Sendwave
Direct integration with M-Pesa, MTN, Airtel Money, Orange Money. Instant transfers.
Remitly
Supports M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money across 15+ African countries.
⚠️ Limited Mobile Money
Wise
M-Pesa in Kenya, limited mobile money elsewhere. Focus on bank transfers.
Western Union
Mobile money in select countries. Mainly agent locations and bank deposits.
Detailed App Reviews
1. Sendwave - Best for Zero Fees
✅ Pros
- • Absolutely $0 transfer fees
- • Instant mobile money transfers
- • Perfect M-Pesa, MTN Money integration
- • Simple, intuitive app design
- • 24/7 customer support
❌ Cons
- • Limited to Africa-focused corridors
- • Exchange rate margin built into rates
- • Lower transfer limits than competitors
Best for: Regular small-medium transfers to family in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Senegal
2. Wise - Best for Transparency
✅ Pros
- • Real exchange rates (no markup)
- • Transparent, low fees
- • Excellent app with rate alerts
- • Multi-currency account features
- • Regulated and trusted globally
❌ Cons
- • Limited mobile money support
- • Mainly bank transfers
- • May take 1-2 hours for completion
Best for: Large transfers, business payments, recipients with bank accounts, rate-conscious senders
3. Remitly - Best Coverage
✅ Pros
- • 40+ African countries supported
- • Multiple delivery options
- • Strong mobile money integration
- • Express and Economy options
- • First transfer promotions
❌ Cons
- • Higher fees for express transfers
- • Exchange rate margins vary
- • Customer service can be slow
Best for: Transfers to less common African destinations, flexible delivery options, first-time users
📲 Mobile App Features
| Feature | Sendwave | Wise | Remitly | WorldRemit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biometric Login | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Rate Alerts | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Transfer History | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Saved Recipients | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Live Tracking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Offline Mode | ⚠️ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ❌ |
🌍 Best Apps by African Region
East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania)
Perfect M-Pesa integration makes Sendwave ideal for mobile money. Wise great for bank transfers.
West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal)
Sendwave dominates with zero fees. Remitly offers more delivery options including cash pickup.
Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe)
Strong banking systems favor Wise. Remitly good for cash pickup in rural areas.
North Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia)
Bank-focused region suits Wise. Western Union has extensive agent network for cash needs.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the lowest fees for Africa transfers?
Sendwave has $0 transfer fees for most African countries, making it the cheapest option. However, they build their profit margin into the exchange rate, so compare total costs including the rate offered.
Can I send directly to mobile money accounts?
Yes! Sendwave and Remitly offer excellent mobile money integration, sending directly to M-Pesa, MTN Money, Orange Money, and Airtel Money accounts. Wise supports M-Pesa in Kenya but limited elsewhere.
Which app is fastest for Africa transfers?
Sendwave typically delivers within minutes for mobile money transfers. Remitly Express is also very fast. Wise usually takes 1-2 hours but offers better exchange rates.
Are these apps safe and regulated?
Yes, all major apps mentioned are licensed money transmitters. Wise is publicly traded, Remitly is NASDAQ-listed, and Sendwave is owned by WorldRemit Group. All use bank-level security.
Can I schedule recurring transfers?
Wise offers the best recurring transfer features. Remitly allows scheduled transfers. Sendwave focuses on one-time transfers. Most apps let you save recipients for quick future sends.
What if my recipient doesn't have a smartphone?
Remitly, Western Union, and MoneyGram offer cash pickup at agent locations. Even basic mobile money works on feature phones - recipients can receive funds on any phone with SMS capability.
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