Afro International money transfer in the UK

Looking to send money to Africa? Perhaps you’re sending money to friends and family, or covering expenses for an upcoming overseas trip.

Whichever is the case, there are lots of international transfer services you can use. This includes those that specialise in UK to Africa transfers.

One of these is Afro International, specialising in money transfers to Sierra Leone and Guinea. The London-based company has been running since 2003, and is regulated by the Finance Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK as a payment services provider.¹

But how do transfers work with Afro International, and how do you get started? Crucially, how much does it cost to make a transfer? We’ll answer these questions and more here in this helpful guide.

Sending money to Sierra Leone and Guinea with Wise is currently not available. Please check the available countries here.

How to make a transfer with Afro International

Ready to send your first transfer? The first thing you need to do is sign up for an online account with Afro International. According to the company, it should only take around a minute to register on its website.²

Then, you can choose from one of two methods to set up your transfer - online and pay with a credit or debit card, or in person and pay with cash.

Online

To send a transfer online, simply follow these steps:³

1. Go to the Afro International website and login
2. Select your transfer options, including the destination country, currency, amount you’d like to send and the mode of delivery. Afro International offers both bank transfers and cash pickups, although it varies depending on destination
3. Enter your beneficiary’s details - we’ll run through what you’re likely to need in just a moment
4. Check the fee and exchange rate. If you’re happy, proceed with setting up the transfer
5. Enter your debit or credit card details to pay for your transfer
6. Check the details and confirm
7. You should receive confirmation from Afro International that the transfer is processing

You can also track transfers on the Afro International website. Simply go to the homepage, enter your recipient’s last name and the transaction number you’ve been provided with.

In person

If you prefer to send your transfer in person and pay in cash, you can visit an Afro International agent. However, there aren’t very many of them here in the UK. In fact, they only have a handful locations in Peckham, London - find your nearest here.

To set up a payment, follow these steps:⁴

1. Take along some photo ID such as your passport or driving licence.
2. Fill in the Transaction Order Form at the agent location
3. Select the recipient’s country, and city if available
4. Pay for the transfer and fee in cash
5. You’ll receive a receipt and a code to give to the recipient so that they can pick up the money.

To receive money at an Afro International location, you’ll need to check with the sender which agent location your transfer is being sent to. Then, head to the designated agent location and fill out a Receive Money Form there. Your sender should have given you a code to enter on this form. Show your photo ID and you should be able to pick up the payment in cash there and then.⁴

How does the Afro International money transfer app work?

Another way to send money with Afro International is to use its mobile app. It works in much the same way as the online money transfer service, except with the convenience of managing transfers on your phone.

App features include the following:⁵

• Send cash to more than 100 pickup locations in Sierra Leone and Guinea
• Send bank transfers
• Money transfer tracking
• Regularly updated exchange rates and fees.

What details do I need to send a transfer with Afro International?

For bank transfers, you’ll usually need the following details for your recipient:

• Their full name
• The name and address of their bank
• Their bank account number or International Bank Account Number (IBAN)
• The BIC (Bank Identifier Code) or SWIFT code for their bank.

How long do Afro International transfers take to arrive?

Afro International doesn’t say how long its international transfers take to arrive, so you’ll need to get in touch with the company if your payment is particularly urgent.

However, the delivery speed is likely to depend on the transfer method. Cash pickup payments are usually much quicker than bank transfers.

Which countries can I send to?

At the moment, UK customers can only send to two African countries using Afro International. These are Sierra Leone and Guinea. However, the company does say that it is working on expanding its payment network.¹

Are there any sending limits with Afro International?

Afro International doesn’t specifically say whether it has limits on the amount you can send at once, or per day or month.

However, there are likely to be some limits, which will depend on the country you’re sending to and the method of transfer. The best way to find out is to use the Afro International cost calculator, entering the details for your particular transfer. The tool will tell you if the amount exceeds the limits.

Afro International money transfer contact number

If you need help setting up your transfer or have any problems, the contact number for Afro International is +44 (0) 20 3322 3563. This line is available Monday to Saturday, from 9am to 5pm.⁶

You can also email customerservice@afroint.com.⁶

Afro International transfer fees

Now we come to the really important info - how much it costs to send a transfer with Afro International.

There are transfer fees to pay, but these aren’t fixed. The fee varies depending on a number of factors, including where you’re sending from and to, and the delivery method you choose.⁷

The good news is that you can check the transfer fees before you send, and even before you register for an account. Simply use the Afro International cost calculator tool, entering the details of your transfer and checking the fees and exchange rates.

What exchange rates does Afro International use?

As well as the upfront transfer fee, it’s also important to check out exchange rates when sending money overseas. The rate used to convert currency can make a big difference to the overall cost of your transfer. This is because it affects how much your recipient receives on the other end.

Afro International applies its own exchange rates when converting currency. This is likely to have a markup or margin on top of the mid-market exchange rate.⁷ This is the rate that banks use when trading currency, and it’s known as one of the fairest rates you can get.

By adding their own markup, transfer providers can make a profit. But unfortunately, it does make transfers more expensive for you. This is why it’s so crucial to compare exchange rates carefully, and aim to get a rate as close to the mid-market rate as possible.

Looking to send money elsewhere? Check out Wise

Afro International is a good option if you’re looking to send money to either Gambia or Sierra Leone - countries that not all transfer services send to. But it is limited to just these two.

If you need to send money elsewhere, the money services provider Wise is a fantastic alternative.

With Wise, you can send money internationally. This includes other African countries such as Nigeria, Botswana, Egypt, Tanzania, Ghana, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda. You’ll only pay low fees and always get the mid-market exchange rate, with no markups or hidden costs.

All transfers are secure and trackable, and you can even send on the move using the handy Wise app.

Open a Wise account online and you can start managing your money in 40+ currencies. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

And that’s it - your handy guide to Afro International money transfers in the UK. We’ve covered everything you need to know, including fees, exchange rates and the Afro International mobile app.

And of course, how to send your first transfer online or in person (if you live near one of the limited agent locations).

If this service is just what you’re looking for, you should now have all the info you need to get started.

Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 05-Feb-2024.