VALR Pay: The Best App to Send Money Between Nigeria and South Africa

There are several ways to transfer money between Nigeria and South Africa. Popular methods include international bank transfers, Western Union, Paystack, and Flutterwave. However, the easiest and most affordable way today is with the VALR Pay app – allowing instant transfers without any fees.

Let’s explore how VALR Pay compares with other popular options for sending money between these two countries.

5 Ways to Transfer Money Between Nigeria and South Africa

1. International Bank Transfers

International bank transfers are a common method for sending money between Nigeria and South Africa. Both the sender and recipient must have a bank account to complete the transaction. While secure, this method involves high fees and long processing times as funds move through multiple correspondent banks. Additionally, filling out the required forms can be time-consuming.

2. Mobile Payment Platforms

Paystack and Flutterwave are two widely used platforms in Nigeria. They offer fast, secure transactions and are ideal for domestic and international transfers within their ecosystem. However, using these platforms to send money to South Africa typically requires intermediaries, which can increase costs and add complexity.

3. Money Transfer Services

Western Union and MoneyGram are reliable options for transferring money between Nigeria and South Africa. These services allow recipients to collect cash from designated pick-up points. While convenient, the fees can be high, especially for larger amounts, and the exchange rates may not be favourable.

4. Digital Wallets

Digital wallets like PayPal and Skrill allow for seamless transfers across borders. They provide instant transactions and are accessible on smartphones and computers. However, fees for currency conversion and cross-border transfers can be significant, making them less ideal for frequent use.

5. VALR Pay

VALR Pay is a free, user-friendly app developed by VALR, a licensed global crypto exchange. It enables instant, fee-free transfers between Nigeria and South Africa using a mobile number, email address, or VALR Pay ID. With support for over 100 cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, including USDC and USDT, VALR Pay stands out as the most efficient and cost-effective option for transferring money between these countries.

How to Use VALR Pay to Transfer Money Between Nigeria and South Africa

With VALR Pay, you can send money between South Africa and Nigeria instantly with zero fees. It is a free money transfer app that supports immediate payments in over 100 cryptocurrencies and a wide range of fiat currencies.

VALR Pay also supports top stablecoins like USD Coin (USDC), Tether USD (USDT), and PayPal USD (PYUSD), which you can leverage to minimise volatility-related risks when transferring funds between Nigeria and South Africa.

With VALR Pay, you don't need to worry about a complex user experience, either. If you have a VALR account, you only need the recipient's phone number, email address, or VALR Pay ID to initiate an instant transfer to South Africa, Nigeria and beyond without any fees.

Looking to get started? Follow the easy steps below to transfer money between Nigeria and South Africa with VALR Pay:

1. Sign in to VALR

Navigate to VALR's website or install the VALR application (iOS or Android) on your smartphone. Click "Get Started" or head to this link to create a new account. If you already have a VALR account, tap "Sign in" and enter your credentials.

2. Navigate to VALR Pay

Once logged in, navigate to the "VALR Pay" menu and select "Pay" to transfer money to your recipient in Nigeria or South Africa.

3. Choose the asset and amount to transfer

Select the stablecoin, cryptocurrency, or fiat currency you wish to send and enter the transfer amount. VALR Pay supports popular stablecoins like USDC and USDT, which are ideal for cross-border transactions due to their price stability.

4. Enter recipient’s details

Choose whether to transfer funds to the recipient's email, phone number, or VALR Pay ID. Enter the recipient's details and select whether to add a message to the receiver or a note for yourself. You can also tick the box next to "Send anonymously" for additional privacy.

5. Complete the transaction

Review the transfer details and click "Next." Finalise the process by tapping "Pay now." Your recipient will receive the funds instantly.

To get started with free and instant money transfers between South Africa and Nigeria create a VALR account today!

Risk Disclosure

Trading or investing in crypto assets is risky and may result in the loss of capital as the value may fluctuate.

VALR (Pty) Ltd is a licensed financial services provider (FSP #53308).