Sasai Money Transfer, a fast-growing international money transfer operator under Cassava Technologies, has partnered with Airtel Money to bring its groundbreaking offer of free remittances to more African markets, starting with Uganda.
This initiative, which eliminates remittance sending fees, aims to make money transfers more accessible and affordable for millions of Africans.
The zero fees initiative was first launched in May 2024 in partnership with Econet in Zimbabwe and is now expanding with Airtel Money, beginning with Uganda.
The offer will soon be extended to other major Airtel markets, including Malawi, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, providing a significant boost to remittance services across the continent.
The collaboration allows users of Sasai Money Transfer in the United Kingdom and South Africa to send money to family and friends in Uganda without incurring any fees.
This end-to-end service offers improved access and affordability for both the sender and receiver, promoting financial inclusion.
Currently, a large portion of remittances in Africa is conducted through informal channels, often resulting in losses for migrants due to unscrupulous intermediaries.
By partnering with Airtel Money, Sasai is advancing its vision of a digitally connected Africa, helping to formalize and digitize remittances to ensure that essential financial services are accessible to everyone.
“We have partnered with Sasai Money Transfer on this innovative initiative that aligns with our mission of ensuring financial inclusivity for all Ugandans,” said Japhet Aritho, Managing Director of Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited.
“This offer brings more value to our customers, coinciding with our Vroomula Amajja promotion, where customers can win cash prizes, Boda-Bodas, and even a Toyota Rav4 Hybrid by receiving remittances into their Airtel Money wallet.”
Sasai Money Transfer’s initial partnership with EcoCash, Zimbabwe’s largest mobile money operator, has already proven successful, offering relief from high remittance fees and being hailed as an “indispensable lifeline” for many families.
Darlington Mandivenga, CEO of Sasai Fintech, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Airtel Money Uganda.
“This collaboration offers a vital entry point into one of Africa’s largest remittance markets. We aim to reach as many people as possible and ensure no African is left behind,” Mandivenga said. “We are leveraging our market assets, operational efficiencies, and partnerships with like-minded organizations like Airtel Money to deliver innovative offerings.”
In an industry where remittance fees can reach up to 13%, Sasai’s zero fees initiative is a game-changer, with the potential to formalize a significant portion of international money transfers, much of which still occur through unsafe and unreliable informal channels.
By eliminating fees, Sasai Money Transfer and Airtel Money are setting a new standard in the remittance industry, offering a secure, affordable, and efficient way for Africans to send and receive money across borders.
