As a member of the United Nations Security Council, Canada is required to maintain certain sanctions on Sudan. However, you can still send money to friends and family in Sudan so long as funds are not used to support any prohibited activities. Before you initiate any transfers, check the government of Canada website to find out which types activities are prohibited.
How to send money to Sudan
Many banks and money transfers services in Canada don’t support transfers in Sudanese pounds (SDG), but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Western Union
As of May 25, 2021, you can transfer money online through Western Union for cash pickup in Sudan. The maximum transfer amount varies from the usual $7,500 CAD limit Western Union places on online transfers. When we checked, you could send up to $3,471 CAD to Sudan (roughly 1,186,415 SDG), and Western Union’s markup on the exchange rate was 2.53%. Note that this margin is likely to change over time.
Fees vary based on how much you’re sending, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $5 and $75 per transfer depending on the sending amount. Transactions can be paid for by credit or Visa debit. For some transfers, you may also be able to pay by bank transfer.
Western Union cash pickup locations in Sudan
When collecting money from any Western Union cash pickup center, your recipient will need to provide a suitable form of ID such as a passport or driver’s license. For large transfers, it’s wise to call the center in advance to ensure that funds are available.
Parliament Branch
Alnijomi Street
Khartoum
Open 7:30am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday
+249-183-764490
Alhuria Street
Khartoum
Open 7:30am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday
+249-183-764490
Omdurman Branch
Almourada Street
Omdurman
Open 7:30am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday
+249-183-764490
Souk Libya
P.O. Box 2056
Omdurman
Open 9am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, closed on Friday,
Open 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday
+249-187-582187
Tips for picking up cash in Sudan
Picking up cash from a transfer agent in Sudan? Follow a few simple steps to ensure that you and your money stay safe:
- Avoid any areas where crime is known to be a problem.
- Keep your wallet and/or bag safe and secure at all times.
- Take a friend along to provide additional security and peace of mind.
- Keep your cash discreet when in public.
- Don’t carry large sums of money around for any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Do Canadian banks support money transfers to Sudan?
You’ll have a hard time finding a bank that will let you send money in SDG.
Interestingly, TD provides access to Western Union money transfer services through its online banking platform, EasyWeb. However, even though you can transfer to Sudan through Western Union’s website, this option is unavailable when sending a Western Union money transfer on EasyWeb. So, if you want to send money to Sudan through Western Union, you can only do so by visiting westernunion.com/ca.
Other money transfer services that most banks provide include wire transfers, cheques and money orders. Speak with a representative of your bank to find out which of these options (if any) will allow you to send money to Sudan.
What you should know about Sudan’s currency
Sudan has changed currencies several times throughout its history. The Sudanese pound (SDG) is currently recognized as the country’s domestic currency and is pegged to the US dollar. The Sudanese Dinar (SDD) was used until 2007 when it was replaced by the pound.
The Sudanese pound is a “closed currency,” which means it’s not available for purchase outside of the country. This is one of the reasons why it’s difficult to find a financial services provider who will exchange your Canadian dollars for SDG. Western Union can likely do so because it has physical branches located in Sudan.
Bottom line
The Sudanese pound is an exotic currency that has recently dropped in value. This means you’ll be able to send more to your recipient, but you’ll probably have a hard time finding many companies that are willing to make the transfer. Carefully consider your options and read up on the money transfer process to learn how to spot a good deal.
