Apps to send money in Africa support international transfers for personal and business needs. Get a detailed look at the options available and how they compare based on fees and features
Key takeaways
- Money transfer apps let users send funds internationally through bank deposits, mobile wallets or cash pickup, depending on the provider and destination
- Money transfer apps such as WorldRemit, Remitly, LemFi, Sendwave, Taptap Send and Western Union support international transfers in Africa
- The World Account is WorldFirst’s multi-currency account that lets businesses receive international payments, hold foreign currency balances and pay overseas suppliers
In 2024, Nigeria received US$21.30 billion in remittances, reflecting the scale of cross-border money transfers across Africa. Individuals use these transfers to support their family, while businesses pay overseas suppliers and contractors.
This guide compares seven apps to send money as personal remittances and business payments, including a multi-currency account by WorldFirst that supports sending, receiving, converting and holding international funds in multiple currencies.
Best apps to send money in Africa
1. WorldFirst
WorldFirst is an international payments provider that supports cross-border business payments through the World Account, a multi-currency account. It supports receiving international payments, holding foreign currency balances, paying overseas suppliers and converting them when needed through one platform.
The World Account is also linked to a World Card, a virtual card for business payments. The World Card is a multi-currency card powered by Mastercard and supports international payments. Any payments made in the 15 supported currencies carry no fee when sufficient balance is held in that currency.
Key features of the World Account
- Get local receiving account details in 15+ currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR and CNH
- Send international payments in 100+ currencies across 200+ countries and regions
- Get funds from 130+ marketplaces and payment gateways, including Amazon, Stripe and more
- Issue up to 20 World Cards at no additional cost and pay in 150+ currencies
- Pay suppliers in China via World Pay, the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com
- Receive cashback on eligible card spending, subject to terms and conditions
| Fee type | World Account fees |
| Account setup | Zero |
| Monthly account fee | Zero |
| Receiving payments | Zero |
| Holding funds | Zero |
| Sending payments | Refer to in-portal pricing |
| Currency conversion | Refer to in-portal pricing |
| World Card | Zero up to 20 cards |
*Fees checked in October 2026
→ Learn more about best payment gateways in Nigeria
2. WorldRemit
WorldRemit is an international money transfer service provider for personal transfers from senders overseas to family and friends in Africa.1 In Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, recipients can receive international transfers through supported bank payout methods.2,3,4 In Morocco, bank account transfers are not supported, and mobile money is the available receiving method.5
Fees: Not specified
3. Remitly
Remitly is a remittance service provider for users who want to receive personal transfers from senders overseas.⁶ It supports transfers to users in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Morocco through available payout methods.7,8,9,10
Fees: No fees for receiving funds. Currency conversion fee may apply
4. LemFi
LemFi is a financial services app for international money transfers and multi-currency wallets.12 It supports transfers from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and selected European countries to destinations across Africa.12
Users can access funds through supported bank accounts and mobile money services.12 Transfers are usually delivered within minutes in 30+ countries, depending on the international payout method.12
Fees: No account setup fee. Sending, receiving and currency conversion fees may apple12
*Fees checked in October 2026
5. Sendwave
Sendwave is an international money transfer provider built for sending funds from overseas to users in Africa.13 It supports different payout methods across African markets, with transfers delivered in the recipient’s local currency.13,14
In Nigeria and Morocco, recipients can collect cash at supported locations.15,16 In Kenya, funds can reach supported mobile wallets and bank accounts, while Ghana supports mobile wallet transfers.17,18
Fees: Not specified
6. Taptap Send
Taptap Send is a money transfer provider for sending funds to more than 70 destinations globally.19,20 Its supported African destinations include Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Morocco.19 Depending on the corridor, recipients can receive bank deposits, mobile money transfers or cash pickups.19
Fees: Not specified
→ Learn how to convert from USD to MAD
7. Western Union
Western Union is a money transfer service for sending and receiving transfers through digital services and agent locations.21 Its network covers more than 200 countries, with cash collection available across African countries like Nigeria and others.21 Recipients can also receive money into bank accounts or mobile wallets where these options are offered.21
In Nigeria and Kenya, users can access supported receiving services.21,22 Ghana supports sending, cash collection and other available receiving methods.23 In Morocco, customers can send money through agent locations and collect incoming transfers in cash.24
Fees: Not specified
Which app fits your needs to send money overseas from Africa?
- For recurring overseas payments: Look for services that support regular transfers to international suppliers, contractors or business partners
- For one-off personal transfers: Prioritise instant payment methods, shorter delivery times and transparent charges
- For transfers to bank accounts: Check whether the recipient’s bank and destination currency are supported
- For transfers across different currencies: Compare exchange rates and options for converting or holding foreign currency
FAQs
1. What is the best app to send money in Africa?
The best app depends on the purpose of the transfer. WorldFirst offers business-focused multi-currency features for eligible customers, while WorldRemit, Remitly, LemFi, Sendwave, Western Union and Taptap Send focus on receiving international transfers.1,6,12,13,19,21
2. Can African businesses use these apps for sending supplier payments?
Yes. Providers like WorldFirst support international payments for businesses, including payments to overseas suppliers and contractors. Remittance apps primarily serve personal transfers and may not provide business account details or foreign currency balances.
Sources
- https://www.worldremit.com/en
- https://www.worldremit.com/en/nigeria/bank-transfer
- https://www.worldremit.com/en/kenya/bank-transfer
- https://www.worldremit.com/en/ghana/bank-transfer
- https://www.worldremit.com/en/morocco/faq/mobile-money
- https://www.remitly.com
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/how-to-send-a-transfer-to-nigeria
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/receiving-money-kenya
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/receiving-money-morocco
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/how-to-send-a-transfer-to-ghana
- https://www.remitly.com/us/en/help/article/costs
- https://lemfi.com/en-ca/international-money-transfer
- https://www.sendwave.com/en
- https://www.sendwave.com/en/countries
- https://www.sendwave.com/en/support?to=ng
- https://www.sendwave.com/en/support?to=ma
- https://www.sendwave.com/en/support?to=ke
- https://www.sendwave.com/en/support?to=gh
- https://www.taptapsend.com/en
- https://www.taptapsend.com/en/about-us
- https://www.westernunion.com/ng/en/home.html
- https://www.westernunion.com/ke/en/home.html
- https://www.westernunion.com/gh/en/home.html
- https://www.westernunion.com/ma/en/home.html
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.
