Sending money to Ethiopia from abroad involves choosing a provider, entering transfer details, and selecting how the recipient gets the funds. This step-by-step tutorial walks you through the process and helps you avoid common pitfalls.
Before You Start
What You'll Need
- Sender: Valid ID (passport or driver's license), bank account or card, recipient's full name and contact details
- Recipient: Full name (as on ID), phone number (for mobile wallet), or bank account number and bank name (for bank deposit)
- Amount: How much you want to send (in your currency) or how much the recipient should receive (in birr)
Compare Providers First
Use Birr Value's Send Money comparison to see:
- Total cost: Fees + exchange rate margin
- Speed: Minutes (cash/mobile) to 1–3 days (bank transfer)
- Delivery options: Bank deposit, cash pickup, TeleBirr, CBE Birr
Top providers often include: XE, Remitly, Wise, WorldRemit, Sendwave. Rates and fees change daily—compare before each transfer.
Step 1: Create an Account
- Go to the provider's website or app (e.g., Remitly.com, Wise.com)
- Sign up with your email and create a password
- Verify your email and sometimes your phone number
- Complete identity verification (KYC):
- Upload a photo of your ID (passport or driver's license)
- Provide your address
- Some providers require a selfie for verification
- Approval can take minutes to hours
Step 2: Start a New Transfer
- Select "Send money" or "New transfer"
- Choose Ethiopia as the destination country
- Enter the amount:
- You can enter the amount you send (e.g., $100 USD) or the amount the recipient gets (e.g., 5,500 birr)
- The provider will show the exchange rate and any fees
Step 3: Choose Delivery Method
Option A: Bank Deposit
- Best for: Recipients with a bank account; often lower fees for larger amounts
- Recipient needs: Account number, bank name (e.g., CBE, Awash, Abyssinia)
- Speed: Usually 1–3 business days
- Tip: Use the exact bank name as shown on the recipient's passbook or statement
Option B: Mobile Wallet (TeleBirr or CBE Birr)
- Best for: Recipients without a bank account; fast delivery
- Recipient needs: Phone number registered with TeleBirr or CBE Birr
- Speed: Often minutes to a few hours
- Tip: Ensure the recipient has activated their wallet and the phone number is correct
Option C: Cash Pickup
- Best for: Recipients who prefer cash or don't have bank/mobile
- Recipient needs: Full name (as on ID), phone number, pickup location (agent or branch)
- Speed: Usually same day or next day
- Tip: Recipient must bring valid ID to collect
Step 4: Enter Recipient Details
- Recipient's full name (exactly as on their ID)
- Phone number (for mobile wallet or pickup notifications)
- For bank deposit: Account number, bank name, branch (if required)
- For cash pickup: Choose the pickup location (city, agent, or branch)
Double-check all details. Wrong account numbers can send money to the wrong person.
Step 5: Pay for the Transfer
- Select payment method: Bank transfer (ACH), debit card, or credit card
- Bank transfer: Often cheapest; may take 1–2 days to debit your account
- Debit card: Faster; small fee may apply
- Credit card: Usually fastest; higher fees and may count as a cash advance
Step 6: Review and Confirm
- Review the amount, exchange rate, fees, and recipient details
- Confirm the transfer
- Save the receipt or reference number—you can use it to track the transfer
Step 7: Track the Transfer
- Most providers send email and SMS updates
- Log in to your account to check status: "Processing," "In transit," "Delivered"
- Bank deposits may take 1–3 days; mobile wallet and cash pickup are often faster
Troubleshooting
Transfer Delayed or Not Received
- Check status in the app or website
- Contact support with your reference number
- Recipient: Ensure they have the correct phone number/account and have checked their wallet or bank balance
- Bank deposit: Sometimes banks need 1–2 extra days; ask the recipient to confirm with their bank
Wrong Recipient Details
- Before sending: Cancel and redo with correct details
- After sending: Contact the provider immediately; they may be able to recall or correct in some cases
Verification Failed
- Re-upload ID: Ensure the image is clear and all corners are visible
- Address mismatch: Use the address on your bank statement or utility bill
- Contact support: Providers can manually review if automated verification fails
Exchange Rate Worse Than Expected
- Compare before sending: Use Birr Value to see which provider gives the best rate
- First transfer: Some providers offer a promotional rate for first-time users
- Large amounts: Bank transfer often has better rates than card payments
Tips to Save Money
- Compare every time: Rates and fees change; Birr Value helps you compare
- Use bank transfer: Usually cheaper than card payments
- Larger amounts: Per-transfer fees often make larger transfers more cost-effective per birr
- Promotions: New customers often get waived fees; check provider websites
Summary Checklist
- Compare providers on Birr Value
- Create account and verify ID
- Enter correct recipient details
- Choose delivery method (bank, mobile, cash)
- Review and confirm
- Save reference number
- Track until delivered