Western Union, Sasai Launch Remittance App for South Africa Users

Southerton Business Times
2 days ago
2 min read

Western Union and Sasai have launched a mobile app designed to simplify cross-border money transfers for users in South Africa sending funds abroad.

Global money transfer firm Western Union has partnered with fintech platform Sasai, a unit of Cassava Technologies, to launch a new international money transfer mobile application targeting users in South Africa. The new platform aims to make it easier for migrants to send money to families across borders, particularly to relatives in Zimbabwe, where remittances remain a crucial source of household income.

The companies said the co-branded app enables users to send money abroad directly from their smartphones, responding to growing demand for digital cross-border payment services in one of Africa’s most digitally connected markets.

Digital Transfers for Migrant Communities

South Africa hosts millions of migrants from across the region, including a significant Zimbabwean diaspora that regularly sends remittances to support families back home. Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, Head of Africa at Western Union, said the partnership responds to shifting consumer preferences toward digital financial services.

“South Africa is home to a growing base of digitally savvy consumers with strong cross-border ties who are seeking flexible and reliable ways to move money internationally,” he said.

Multiple Ways to Send and Receive Money

Through the app, customers can send funds to bank accounts and digital wallets worldwide. Recipients can also choose to collect cash at participating retail locations, a method widely used by families receiving remittances in Zimbabwe.

Users can fund their transfers through debit or credit cards, electronic bank transfers, or via Sasai’s retail network, which includes more than 150,000 outlets. Darlington Mandivenga, chief executive of fintech and digital platforms at Cassava Technologies, said the collaboration is designed to strengthen financial connections between Africans living abroad and communities on the continent.

Faster Registration and Transfers

The companies said the app is available on both Android and iOS platforms. Users can register, complete identity verification, and begin sending money within minutes. Remittances play a major role in Zimbabwe’s economy, with a significant share of funds coming from migrant workers based in South Africa. Industry analysts say digital platforms such as this could further streamline remittance flows by reducing transfer times and improving accessibility for users across the region.