- Security and regulation: Government-regulated with verification for all users in South Africa.
- Established: 2006
- Reviews: Trustpilot gives Mukuru a score of 3.2 out of 10, based on 11 reviews.*
*According to Trustpilot on 7 March 2019.
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Review: Mukuru international money transfers
Quick, affordable transfers to more than 10 countries in Africa.
- Good for sending money within Africa and also if your recipient doesn’t have a bank account.
- Not so great for sending money to countries outside of Africa.
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
- NGN Nigerian naira
- 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, bank transfers 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 customer’s identity, income and address have been verified, and the payment is received, transfers are instant.
What payment methods does Mukuru accept?
The supported payment methods vary depending on where you are in the world but from South Africa, you’ll have a few options: make a cash deposit at one of Mukuru’s partner branches, online or telephone banking, bank transfer or through a Mukuru Money prepaid debit card, which all customers in South Africa qualify for. South Africa is the only country in Africa that allows bank transfers with Mukuru.
Is Mukuru safe to use?
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 transfers 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
- Low, transparent fees. You’ll see your total fees before booking your transfer.
- High transfer amounts. Transfers of up to R1 million if you register with a South African ID and proof of address.
- Simple registration. It’s easy and fast to register and set up a transaction online.
Cons
- Limited transfers outside of Africa. Transferring money out of Africa is extremely limited as Mukuru is set up mainly for transfers within the continent.
- 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?
Check out some of Mukuru’s competitors in the table below to see how it compares:
Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.
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