Western Union, Zoona Transactions Zambia Limited and Chipper Cash have joined forces to launch international money transfer services within the Chipper Cash mobile app. This co-branded offering enables people in Zambia to send and receive funds globally, tapping into a network that spans over 200 countries and territories.
Zambia is home to more than 20 million people and is experiencing rapid smartphone adoption. Despite this digital momentum, many residents still rely heavily on cash-based systems. By embedding Western Union’s international network into the Chipper Cash app, users can now access global remittance services without needing formal bank accounts.
Chipper Cash acquired Zoona, a leading Zambian payments platform, in 2022. Together they serve roughly 5 million users across Africa with digital payments and transfer services. This collaboration leverages Western Union’s 175 years of experience in cross-border transfers alongside Chipper Cash’s deep local knowledge and app-based technology.
Customers can fund the Chipper Cash wallet through a range of options, including retail agents, mobile networks, banks, and ATMs. Transfers may be sent to mobile wallets globally or collected in cash at hundreds of thousands of partner locations. The partners plan to introduce payouts to bank accounts soon.
Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, Western Union’s regional vice president for Africa, stated that Zambia’s growing digital-savvy population is reshaping demand toward mobile-first financial experiences. “Integrating our global transfer services into Chipper Cash means customers can transact internationally reliably and easily,” he said.
Brett Magrath, CEO of Zoona and chief product officer at Chipper Cash, highlighted Zambia’s fintech evolution: “We’ve seen the country move from agent-led cash systems to a vibrant mobile-first ecosystem. With more smartphones, users expect richer app experiences. This partnership brings global financial access directly to them.”
This initiative reflects a broader trend in Africa that blends global infrastructure with local fintech innovation to expand financial inclusion. For users in Zambia, the service offers flexibility: money can be sent to family abroad or received from loved ones, regardless of formal banking access. Upcoming bank deposit options will further enhance convenience.
This launch marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s financial landscape, connecting more users to global flows while reinforcing the move toward digital-first financial services in underserved markets.
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