Money transfer costs varied sharply across selected African countries between January and March 2025, with fees ranging from less than 9% to more than 44%.
This is according to the Economic Report on Africa 2026 by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
Malawi recorded the highest average transfer cost at 44.5% of the amount sent, far ahead of Angola at 16.4% and Botswana at 14.9%.
Other countries reported costs of between 10% and 12%, including Uganda (12%), Eswatini (11.5%), Rwanda (11.2%), Lesotho (11.1%), Zambia (10.5%) and Namibia (10.5%).
Transfer costs were comparatively lower in East and Northeast Africa.
South Sudan recorded an average fee of 9.9%, followed by Kenya at 9.6%, while Tanzania had the lowest rate among the countries surveyed, at 8.7%.
The wide variation highlights the differing costs of sending money across African markets, with high fees potentially reducing the amount received by beneficiaries.
