Quick verdict
Good for
- Cash pick-ups
- Quick deliveries
- Sending money to Africa
- Using your mobile to send money
- Bank transfers from Europe
Not so great for
- Sending money to countries outside of Africa
- Sending money transfers of £600+ without ID verification
- Bank transfers from Africa
See our full list of pros and cons below.
Mukuru exchange rates and fees
Mukuru’s fees depend on the country and currency for your transfer, but all fees and rates are explained upfront and are included in your cost before booking your transfer.
Available currencies
Mukuru currently supports money transfers to select countries mainly in Africa. Some of the more popular currencies include:
- KES Kenyan shilling
- LSL Lesotho loti
- MWK Malawian kwacha
- MZN Mozambican metical
- ZMW Zambian kwacha
- CDF Congolese franc
- ZAR South African rand
What types of transfers can you make with Mukuru?
Mukuru specialises in single transfers to friends and family, whether over the phone, through the app, online or through one of its branches. You can’t set up a recurring transfer through Mukuru and it doesn’t specialise in business transfers.
You can make transfers to any of the following, depending on the country you’re sending to:
- Bank account. The money will be deposited directly into the bank account you choose. You’ll need to know the SWIFT code as well. This option is currently available for all supported countries.
- Cash pick-up location. You can send money to a cash pick-up location for your recipient to collect. If you choose this option, the person picking it up will need a valid photo ID on hand and the reference number. You’ll only be able to use this for transfers to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia and Zambia.
- Mobile wallet. Send to your recipient’s smartphone wallet. This option is helpful if your recipient doesn’t have a bank account and isn’t near a cash pick-up location. You can use it in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.
- Top-up card collection. This is used when you want to send money directly to your recipient’s card. You’ll need their card number and address. This is currently only available in Zimbabwe.
How long does a transfer with Mukuru take?
Once a debit or credit card has been verified, transfers are instant, much the same as paying with cash. Transfers from a bank account will typically arrive the next business day.
What payment methods does Mukuru accept?
The supported payment methods vary depending on where you are in the world, but from Europe, you’ll be able to pay through a bank transfer or by debit or credit card.
From the countries within Africa, you’ll have the option of paying for a transfer by making a cash deposit at one of Mukuru’s partner branches or by using your debit or credit card. Keep in mind that paying by credit card ends up adding a percentage fee on top.
Is Mukuru safe to use?
- Security and regulation: Government-regulated with card verification for all users.
- Established: 2006
- Reviews: Trustpilot gives Mukuru a score of 1.9 out of 5, based on 30 reviews.*
*According to Trustpilot on 26 February 2020.
How does Mukuru make money?
Mukuru charges a fixed fee depending on how much money you transfer. It also makes money by adding a margin to the exchange rate it offers. You can find out the exchange rate through Mukuru’s price-check tool online. Always check you have a favourable rate before proceeding with any transaction.
How to register an account
What is Mukuru?
Launched in 2006, Mukuru is a digital international money transfer service based in the UK offering remittances to more than 10 countries, mainly in Africa.
Mukuru was essentially created to help people move money within Africa and claims to be one of the easiest ways to send money and receive cash within the continent.
In a nutshell
Pros
- Transfer without verification. Up to £600 can be transferred without ID verification.
- Low, transparent fees. You’ll see your total fees before booking your transfer.
- High transfer amounts. Transfers of £4,000+ with proof of income or a bank statement.
- Simple registration. It’s easy and fast to register and set up a transaction online.
Cons
- Limited payment methods. While anyone in Europe can transfer money through their bank, wire transfers are not available from within Africa as only cash or card transfers are supported.
- Limited customer reviews. Very few customers have left reviews so it’s important that you check you’re happy with the transfer deal on offer before proceeding.
How does Mukuru compare to other providers?
Table: sorted by promoted deals first
Our table below lets you compare services you can use to send money abroad. Compare fees, exchange rates and discounts from different money transfer services, and when you have made your choice, click Go to site.
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