Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

Send money to Benin

A cash transfer is the fastest option — but not the cheapest.

Andrew Munro

Updated Apr 27, 2020

Fact checked

I want to send

Currency from

Currency to

Compare your options to send money to Benin based on fees, exchange rates and transfer times.

Compare transfer providers for Benin

Enter your transfer amount in the space provided to estimate your transfer cost with different providers.

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
GBP 1,000	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Exclusive: Minimum transfer of $1,000 for Finder readers (normally $5,000). For larger transfers, get no transaction fees and no maximum send limits.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
$1	Same day	USD 0.00	540.738	XOF 2,703,692	XE offers fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AFN, ALL, AMD, ANG, AOA, ARS, AUD, AWG, AZN, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BMD, BND, BOB, BRL, BSD, BTN, BWP, BZD, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CUC, CVE, CZK, DJF, DKK, DOP, DZD, EGP, ERN, ETB, EUR, FJD, FKP, GBP, GEL, GGP, GHS, GIP, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, IMP, INR, IQD, IRR, ISK, JEP, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KPW, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, LYD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MNT, MOP, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SDG, SEK, SGD, SHP, SLL, SOS, SPL, SRD, SVC, SYP, SZL, THB, TJS, TMT, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TVD, TWD, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VEF, VND, VUV, WST, XAF, XCD, XDR, XOF, XPF, YER, ZAR, ZMW, ZWD, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$10	Within an hour	USD 1.99	532.319	XOF 2,660,536	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Quick, affordable transfers around the world with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 10.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ALL, AMD, ARS, AZN, BAM, BDT, BGN, BIF, BOB, BRL, BSD, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KZT, LKR, LRD, MAD, MDL, MGA, MKD, MMK, MWK, MXN, MYR, NGN, NIO, NPR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SLL, SRD, SVC, THB, TJS, TND, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, UZS, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$1	1 - 2 days	-	-		Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 20 currencies while saving up to 90% over local banks.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
$1	Within an hour	USD 3.99	540.901	XOF 2,702,349	Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Send to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposit, cash pickup or mobile top-up.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

What's in this guide?

Compare transfer providers for Benin
What's the best way to send money to Benin?
Step-by-step: How to send money to Benin
How long will it take to send money to Benin?
What to watch out for
Documentation you'll need to send money to Benin
What to compare to get the best deal
Cash pickup locations in Benin
Bottom line

What’s the best way to send money to Benin?

The best way to send money to Benin depends on your situation. The main options include the following:

Money transfer services

There are a number of online money transfer services that combine options such as cash pickup, bank account transfers and mobile money to deliver flexible and cost-effective transfers.

Cash transfers

Cash transfer services and pickup points are widely available in Benin.

Banks

You may be able to send money to Benin through your bank, although the costs can be high.

Step-by-step: How to send money to Benin

Choose your transfer service and go to its website.
Create or sign into an account with that service.
Enter the details of your transfer, including the recipient and the amount.
Confirm the details and make your payment.

Let’s crunch the numbers: Sending $500 to Benin

The table below shows how much it can cost to send money to Benin with different transfer services.

	Transfer company A	Transfer company B
Fee	$11.99	$0
Exchange rate	1 USD = 565.3383 XOF	1 USD = 553.4175 XOF
Transfer speed	Next day	Next day
Amount received	XOF275,890.74	XOF276,708.75
Overall	XOF818.01 less	XOF818.01 more

In this situation, the two transfer companies are pretty close, coming within less than US$2 of each other. But if you needed your transfer to get there even faster, you could also pay a little more to get a cash pickup.

How long will it take to send money to Benin?

How long it takes to send money to Benin depends on which transfer method you use.

Cash pickup and mobile money are usually instant, but any time there’s a bank transfer involved, it can take several days longer.

Emergency cash transfer

If you want to send money in a hurry, you can send money to be picked up at locations around Benin with services such as WorldRemit, Western Union or MoneyGram.

What services send emergency transfers?

How to send money to Benin without a bank account

It’s often cheaper to have money sent to your recipient’s bank account with a money transfer service, but if your recipient doesn’t have one, you can still send a cash transfer or a mobile money delivery.

If you don’t have a bank account, you can still pay with cash at a money transfer agent location or send money through your own mobile money app.

What to watch out for

The West African CFA franc (XOF) used in Benin is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate. As such, the exchange rates you get will vary depending on what the USD/EUR exchange rate is doing.

Documentation you’ll need to send money to Benin

When sending money to Benin, you’ll need to provide the following information:

Personal details and identification. You’ll need to give your name, address and proof of identity.
Transfer details and why you’re sending the money. You will typically be required to enter the reason for transferring the money, among other details such as the amount and the currencies.
Recipient’s details. You will have to provide the recipient’s details so the money can find its way to the right person. If you want it delivered to the recipient’s bank account, you’ll also need to get their banking details.

What to compare to get the best deal

When sending money to Benin, compare:

Fees. How much are you being charged in flat fees?
Exchange rates. How many CFA francs are you getting for your US dollars?
Transfer speed. How long will the transfer take?
Payment options. Can you pay by cash or card? Do you have to make a bank transfer?
Delivery methods. How can the recipient get their money? Options include mobile money, cash pickup and bank transfer.
Customer service. Can the money transfer service help out in case something goes wrong?

Foreign exchange rates explained

The exchange rates are how much of one currency you get for another and different transfer services will charge very different amounts through varying exchange rates.

To find out how good your quoted exchange rates are, compare them to the USD/XOF mid-market rates you can find online.

Today’s exchange rate USD to XOF

Cash pickup locations in Benin

Western Union

DOUNIAH VOYAGES AGENCE BAR TIT
Address: Avenue Marche Saint Michel, Cotonou, Littoral
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat to Sun, 11am to 2.30pm
Phone: +229-96-286385

STOP EXCHANGE SARL
Address: 06 Bp 1560 Akpakpa Pk3 Cotonou, Carre 3 Akpakpa Cotonou, Cotonou, Littoral 00
Hours: Mon-Sun 8am to 8pm
Phone: +229-21339539

MoneyGram

BANK OF AFRICA BENIN – COTONOU – ZONGO
Address: Rue Capitaine Adjovi en Face Cabinet Sainte Anne D’ Afrique
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 2pm
Phone: 21315204

ETS CRUZ – COTONOU – STE RITA
Address: Quartier Ste Rita Non Loin Du Marche et Pres De L Eglise Cat
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am to 9pm, Sat 7am to 7pm
Phone: 97202008

WorldRemit

ORABANK CALAVI
Address: Voie Inter-Etat A Coté De La Clinique Coopérative
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 08:00 to 17:00
Phone: +229 2136 2340

FINASSUR
Address: Immeuble Hage Ali Dantokpa
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 08:00 to 17:00
Phone: –
Western Union

AGENCE VITAL PORTO NOVO
Address: Maison Raima, Rue Paroise St Francois, Cotonou
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 1pm
Phone: +229-20-226449

ECOBANK IAMD MICROFINANCE
Address: Ouando Quartier Akonaboe, Residence Les Palmiers Lot100, Porto Novo, Oueme 229
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am to 7pm, Sat 9am to 3pm
Phone: +229-20-2472

MoneyGram

BANK OF AFRICA BENIN – OUANDO – OUANDO
Address: Porto Novo En Face De L’Hopital El Fatair
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am to 6pm, Sat 8am to 2pm
Phone: 20247676

RAN SERVICES PLUS – PORTO-NOVO
Address: Maison Chandjiekpon M. Arsene Quartier Dowa
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am to 8pm
Phone: 97323229

WorldRemit

ORABANK PORTO-NOVO
Address: Quartier Cachi Au Rond-Point
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 08:00 to 17:00
Phone: +229 2022 2266

Bottom line

Using an online transfer provider to deposit money directly into your recipient’s account is usually the cheapest option, but if you need the money to arrive instantly you can order a cash pickup for a little more. To get the best deal on your next overseas transfer, compare money transfer providers before getting started.

Thank you for your feedback!

Andrew Munro

Andrew Munro is the cryptocurrency editor at Finder. He was initially writing about insurance, when he accidentally fell in love with digital currency and distributed ledger technology (aka “the blockchain”). Andrew has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales, and has written guides about everything from industrial pigments to cosmetic surgery.

More guides on Finder

What is DeFi? Beginner’s guide to decentralized finance
Confused about DeFi? Find out how it works in this easy-to-read guide.
How do we pick the top money transfer services?
Our top picks are our selection of the best money transfer services, based on our extensive research and market experience. Here’s how we choose them.
Bonanza vs. eBay: Costs and features compared
We compare Bonanza and eBay side by side to find out which e-commerce marketplace has the lowest fees, most buyers and best features for sellers.
Shopify vs. Etsy: Costs and features compared
We compare Shopify and Etsy to find out which e-commerce platform has the lowest fees and the best features for online merchants.
TransferWise joins trend to send money to Chinese smartphones
It’s the latest Western money transmitter to partner with Alipay, the world’s largest mobile payment provider.
Sending money internationally during the coronavirus pandemic
Learn about how COVID-19 may affect the ways you transfer cash around the world.
Sending money to Mexico during the coronavirus
Learn how COVID-19 may affect how you transfer cash across the border.
Skrill extends free money transfers to Italy in response to coronavirus
All transfer fees and foreign exchange charges are being dropped until further notice.
MoneyGram’s FastSend lets you send money with just a phone number
The global money transmitter is attempting to digitize by establishing a money-by-SMS service.
Compare CD vs. savings account
Compare pros, cons, interest rates, features, fees and more.

Ask an Expert

Click here to cancel reply.

Display Name

Your Email (will not be published)

Your Question

Subscribe to the Finder newsletter for the latest money tips and tricks

I agree to the Privacy and Cookies Policy, finder.com Terms of Use and to receive emails from Finder. We need your consent to our privacy policy. Please tick the box if you wish to continue with newsletter subscription.

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

Card Finder: Get a personalized card recommendation with this free tool

Find the best personal loan offer

See how much you could save:

Find the best mortgage rates and offers

Send money to Benin

A cash transfer is the fastest option — but not the cheapest.

Guides

Services

Send Money To