Afro International money transfer guide [2024]

Afro International®¹ is an international money transfer provider which focuses on sending payments from the US and UK, to various countries in Africa, including Sierra Leone and Gambia.

Payment options do vary depending on where you’re sending money to and from, but can include bank deposits and transfers for cash collection through local agents.

This guide covers how Afro International works, and also touches on an alternative you might want to compare if you’re sending a payment to a bank in Africa - Wise. Wise offers digital transfers which use the mid-market rate and low, transparent fees which can mean you save*.

What is Afro International Money Transfer?

Afro International Money Transfer is a non-bank provider of cross border payments which focuses on helping people to send money from the US and UK to Africa.

You can send payments online, through the Afro International app, and in person at an agent if there’s one near you.

Afro International transfers are only intended to be used to send payments to friends and family - people you trust.

The service is licensed in various US states, and covered by the relevant laws of Maryland - one of the states in which it holds a license as a money transmitter.

Where can you find Afro International Money Transfer cash pickup locations?

You can search for Afro International agents online², on the Afro International desktop site. Agents are available in countries including the US, UK, and Sierra Leone.

If you’re looking for a US agent to arrange your payment in cash, it’s good to know that there are 10 listed US agents, across Maryland and the District of Columbia.

How does Afro International Money Transfer work?

Afro International offers ways to send money from the US and UK to friends and family in Africa, in select countries.

You can set up a transfer online or in the Afro International app, or visit an agent here in the US, to pay by cash. You can check the Afro International agent locator tool to see if there’s one nearby².

Payments are sent to your recipient and depending on the destination and the options you select you may be able to choose to have your money deposited into the recipient’s bank, or collected in cash through a nearby agent in their home country.

Which countries can you send money with Afro International?

So - is Afro International Money Transfer available for international transfers to Sierra Leone?

The good news is that if you’re looking for transfers to Sierra Leone, Afro International may be able to help.

Other supported countries include Gambia and Guinea. Check online or ask a local agent for the full list of countries available before you choose the provider you want to use.

If you’re not able to use Afro International you might want to check out Wise as an online alternative provider which covers payments to 160+ countries, including many major payment routes to Africa.

Is Afro safe for international transfers?

Afro International should be a safe provider to use as long as you follow their user guidelines, and only send to people you know and trust.

Afro International is licensed as a Money Transmitter in the State of Georgia by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance. It’s also licensed in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia³.

Make low cost international transfers with Wise

A smart option if you’re sending money overseas: meet Wise.

Register a Wise account online or in the Wise app, and send money to 70+ countries, with the mid-market exchange rate and low, transparent fees.

Wise always shows you the amount you’re paying and how much your recipient will get — and you can even compare against other providers on the Wise app or desktop site.

If another service is cheaper for your particular payment, you’ll be shown — so you can’t lose.

Get started with Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

How to send money abroad with Afro International Money Transfer: step by step

You can send money online or in person at an agent. When you send money online you’ll be able to pay using a debit or credit card, and at an Afro International office or agent location you can pay in cash.

Whether you send your transfer online or in person you’ll follow the same basic process⁴:

Step 1. Fill out a Transaction Order Form online or in person

Step 2. Provide an ID document such as a driving license or passports for verification

Step 3. Confirm the destination country and the value of the transfer

Step 4. If sending for cash collection, choose the specific city in which the receiver should pick up the money

Step 5. Pay - in cash at an agent or with a card online

Step 6. Your money will be dispatched

You can check the indicative fees for an online transfer with Afro International online to see what you may pay when you send your transfer⁵.

How long do Afro international transfers take?

Afro International transfers usually arrive in about 30 minutes if you pay by card for cash collection. Ask the agent for a delivery estimate when you send your payment.

Afro international money transfers fees and costs

The costs of sending a payment with Afro International depend on where you’re sending to and from, and the delivery method you choose. It’s worth noting that there can be several different costs when you send an international payment:

• The transfer fee: usually easy to spot, and based on the transfer type

• An exchange rate markup: harder to see, included in the exchange rate used to convert your USD to the currency needed

• Third party fees: you may not be able to see these in advance at all, as they’re not deducted by Afro International, but other parties involved in the transfer

It’s well worth asking the Afro International agent about all the possible costs before you arrange your payment so there are no surprises once you’ve confirmed your transfer.

How can you contact Afro International Money Transfer?

The easiest option to get in touch with Afro International is likely to be calling or emailing them to get customer service support. Here are the details you need:

Afro International can be handy for sending payments from the US to some African countries, but the range of destinations isn’t particularly large, which may mean it’s not the right pick for your payment.

Even if Afro International can support your transfer, it pays to shop around to make sure you get the lowest fees and the best available exchange rate. Compare a few other options such as Wise, to see which works out best for your unique needs.