International Money Transfers Now Available for Cross-Border Payments Through Western Union, Zoona, and Chipper Cash in Zambia
In a groundbreaking move, Western Union, Zoona Transactions Zambia Limited, and Chipper Cash have joined forces to launch international money transfer services within the Chipper Cash mobile app in Zambia. This partnership aims to make global financial services more accessible to all consumers, regardless of their banking status.
This co-branded service enables Zambian customers to send and receive money globally with ease, leveraging Western Union’s extensive global network and Zoona’s local fintech expertise combined with Chipper Cash’s mobile infrastructure. Users can initiate a Western Union transaction using funds stored in their Chipper Cash wallet, which can be topped up at multiple cash and digital payment touchpoints.
The collaboration extends the reach of Zambia’s fintech ecosystem, connecting more users to global financial services through a seamless digital experience. With smartphone adoption and demand for app-based financial solutions rapidly growing in Zambia, this partnership moves beyond traditional USSD-based services to richer digital experiences.
Serving a population of over 20 million, the digitally savvy population of Zambia is driving a shift towards mobile-first financial solutions. The partnership significantly impacts international money transfers in Zambia, offering transfers to mobile wallets worldwide and cash pick-up options overseas, with bank account payouts planned soon.
Zoona, an early pioneer in Zambia’s mobile money market with over a decade of experience, was acquired by Chipper Cash in 2022. Together, they serve roughly 5 million users across Africa, making this partnership a strategic integration of local fintech capabilities with Western Union’s global infrastructure.
Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, Regional Vice President of Africa at Western Union, and Brett Magrath, CEO of Zoona and the CPO of Chipper Cash, are spearheading this initiative. The partnership combines Western Union's global strength and 175 years of expertise in international money movement with Chipper Cash's and Zoona's deep local payments knowledge and innovative mobile technology platform.
The Chipper Cash app, available on Android and iOS smartphones, now offers users the ability to send funds to mobile wallets worldwide, as well as for cash pick-up at hundreds of thousands of locations abroad. Payout to bank accounts shall be launched shortly, further expanding the possibilities for Zambians to connect, transact, and thrive in the global economy.
This collaboration enhances the convenience, reach, and inclusivity of international money transfers for Zambian users, facilitating their connection to the global economy through mobile-first financial solutions. The announcement aims to expand the possibilities for Zambians to participate in the global economy, making it more accessible and inclusive than ever before.
- The collaboration between Western Union, Zoona Transactions Zambia Limited, and Chipper Cash utilizes Chipper Cash's mobile infrastructure, Zoona's local fintech expertise, and Western Union’s extensive global network to offer Zambian customers easy access to international money transfer services.
- This partnership enables users to initiate Western Union transactions using funds stored in their Chipper Cash wallet, which can be topped up at multiple cash and digital payment touchpoints.
- With smartphone adoption and demand for app-based financial solutions rapidly growing in Zambia, this collaboration moves beyond traditional USSD-based services to richer digital experiences.
- The Chipper Cash app, available on Android and iOS smartphones, now allows Zambian users to send funds to mobile wallets worldwide and will shortly offer payout to bank accounts, expanding the possibilities for Zambians to connect, transact, and thrive in the global economy.
