Best Apps to Send Money to Ethiopia (2025)
Best Apps to Send Money to Ethiopia (2025)
Quick Picks
Fast to Telebirr & wallets: Xoom, Remitly, Ria, MoneyGram, Western Union (all support mobile wallets like Telebirr; availability varies by country). Xoom /Remitly /help.riamoneytransfer.com / developer.moneygram.com
Widest agent network for cash pickup: Western Union, Ria, MoneyGram. Ria Money Transfer/ MoneyGram
Bank deposit option with clear flow: Xoom, Remitly, Ria. XoomRia Money Transfer
USD wire only (no ETB): Wise (can send USD to Ethiopia, but ETB transfers aren’t supported).
What payout methods work well in Ethiopia?
- Mobile wallets: Telebirr (Ethio telecom), Amole (Dashen Bank), HelloCash, CBE Birr, plus M-Pesa (Ethiopia). Many global apps now deposit directly to these wallets.
- Ethiotelecom/Xoomhelp.riamoneytransfer.com/developer.moneygram.com
- Bank deposit: Major Ethiopian banks (e.g., Awash, Dashen, CBE) are supported by leading apps. Xoom
- Cash pickup: Still great when recipients prefer collecting at branches/agents.
Top apps (2025): Pros, Cons & Best Use-Cases
1, REMITLY
Best for: Quick deliveries to Telebirr/mobile wallets and bank deposits, frequent promos.
Why it’s good: Dedicated Ethiopia routes and a specific Telebirr transfer page. Remitly
Watchouts: Exchange-rate markup varies by corridor and pay-method.
2, WORLDREMIT
Best for: Simple mobile wallet and cash pickup transfers.
Why it’s good: Lets you send to Telebirr and CBE Birr mobile numbers (recipient must be active & registered). WorldRemit
Watchouts: Fees/FX change with payment method and amount.
3, XOOM (PayPal)
Best for: Telebirr/Amole/HelloCash wallet deposits; also bank deposit & cash pickup.
Why it’s good: Ethiopia route shows mobile wallet and bank deposit options; gives transparent estimated delivery. Xoom+1
Watchouts: Displayed exchange rate includes spread; delivery time can be up to a few days for bank deposit. Xoom
4, WESTERN UNION
Best for: Huge cash pickup network + wallet deposit.
Why it’s good: Ethiopia page lists mobile wallet payouts and indicative limits (e.g., up to $5,000 cash pickup, $2,500 to wallet—varies).
Watchouts: Fees for cards can be higher; rate markups apply.
5, RIA
Best for: Competitive pricing to Telebirr/Amole, cash pickup.
Why it’s good: Supports mobile wallet in Ethiopia (Telebirr/Amole) and shows wallet availability by country. Ria Money Transferhelp.riamoneytransfer.com
Watchouts: Exact fees and speeds depend on origin country/payment method.
6, MONEYGRAM
Best for: Broad agent network + multiple Ethiopian wallets.
Why it’s good: Developer docs list Telebirr, Amole, CBE Birr, HelloCash, M-Pesa as supported wallets for Ethiopia. developer.moneygram.com
Watchouts: FX margins vary; check the calculator before sending. MoneyGram
7) WISE (special case)
Best for: USD wire deposits only (no ETB), where the recipient can receive USD.
Why it’s good/limitation: Wise states it doesn’t support ETB, but you can send USD to Ethiopia via wire. Useful for USD accounts.
Quick Comparison (Features)
| App | Mobile wallets (Telebirr etc.) | Bank deposit | Cash pickup | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remitly | Yes (incl. Telebirr) | Yes | Yes | Ethiopia & Telebirr pages available. (Remitly) |
| WorldRemit | Yes (Telebirr, CBE Birr) | Yes | Yes | Recipient must be registered wallet user. (WorldRemit) |
| Xoom | Yes (Telebirr, Amole, HelloCash) | Yes | Yes | Transparent delivery estimates; rate includes spread. (Xoom) |
| Western Union | Yes (mobile wallet) | Yes | Yes | Large limits shown; varies by corridor. |
| Ria | Yes (Telebirr, Amole) | Yes | Yes | Wallet availability page confirms Ethiopia wallets. (help.riamoneytransfer.com) |
| MoneyGram | Yes (Telebirr, Amole, CBE Birr, HelloCash, M-Pesa) | Yes | Yes | Wallet list confirmed in developer docs. (developer.moneygram.com) |
| Wise | No ETB (USD wire only) | USD wires | No | ETB not supported as of 2025. |
How to choose the cheapest option (fast)
Pick payout first (what’s easiest for your family):
If they use Telebirr, compare Remitly, Xoom, Ria, MoneyGram, Western Union. RemitlyXoomhelp.riamoneytransfer.comdeveloper.moneygram.com
Compare total cost (fee + FX): Some apps show low fees but add a spread to the exchange rate. Xoom explicitly notes the spread on its Ethiopia page. Xoom
Match urgency with pay method: Card = faster but pricier; bank transfer = cheaper but slower (varies by app). (General provider guidance pages.) Ria Money Transfer
Mind limits & KYC: Western Union shows corridor-specific limits (e.g., wallet vs cash).
Step-by-step: sending to Telebirr
Via Xoom / Remitly / Ria / MoneyGram / Western Union: Choose Mobile Wallet ➜ select Telebirr ➜ enter recipient’s +251 mobile number (must be an active, registered Telebirr account). XoomRemitlyhelp.riamoneytransfer.comdeveloper.moneygram.com
Recipient requirements: For WorldRemit, the wallet must be active and fully registered (Telebirr or CBE Birr). WorldRemit
Telebirr context: Official Ethio telecom pages confirm international remittance into Telebirr and show general usage (127# / app). Ethiotelecom+2Ethiotelecom+2
Safety & compliance (important)
- Use licensed operators only. The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) publishes the official list of licensed money transfer providers (updated April 1, 2025). National Bank of Ethiopia
- NBE has warned about unlicensed agents; always verify against the NBE list before using a new service. BorkenaNational Bank of Ethiopia
Frequently asked questions
Is Telebirr widely supported from abroad?
Yes. Multiple global providers support direct wallet deposit to Telebirr (and other wallets like Amole/HelloCash). Xoomhelp.riamoneytransfer.comdeveloper.moneygram.com
Which is fastest?
Card-funded transfers to mobile wallets are often near-instant; bank deposits can take longer. Xoom shows ETAs on Ethiopia route; bank deposits may take up to several days. Xoom
Can I send ETB with Wise?
No—Wise doesn’t support ETB transfers as of 2025; you can send USD via wire if the recipient can receive USD.
What if my family prefers cash?
Use Western Union, Ria, MoneyGram, or Xoom cash pickup. Confirm the nearest pickup location and ID requirements before sending. Ria Money TransferMoneyGram
Tips to Save More
- Compare before every transfer (fees & FX change daily). Xoom explicitly shows rate spread. Xoom
Use bank transfer when time allows to reduce fees (common across providers). Ria Money Transfer
Leverage promos & first-transfer offers (check each app’s Ethiopia page).
Send to Telebirr (or other wallets) when your recipient is comfortable—often fastest and convenient. Xoom
