Send Money to Ethiopia
Best apps and websites for sending money to Ethiopia, ranked by fees, exchange rate, and speed. Remitly, Wise, XE, WorldRemit, Western Union. Compare cash pickup, bank transfer, and TeleBirr options before you send. Compare bank exchange rates in Ethiopia.
XE Money Transfer
XE is often the cheapest option for bank transfers to Ethiopia, winning in ~48% of comparisons. No transfer fees—cost is built into the exchange rate margin. Supports bank account, mobile wallet, and cash pickup.
Fees
No fixed transfer fees (exchange rate margin)
Speed
Same day
Rating
8.7/10
Payout: Bank account, Mobile wallet, Cash pickup
Pay with: Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card
Remitly
Remitly is the top-rated provider (9.3/10) and wins as cheapest for cash pickup in ~69% of comparisons. Bank deposit: $1.99; cash pickup: $2.99. New customers often get no fees on first transfer. Delivers to CBE, Dashen, Awash, Abyssinia, TeleBirr.
Fees
$1.99 bank deposit; $2.99 cash pickup (first transfer often free)
Speed
Next day to 1–2 days
Rating
9.3/10
Payout: Bank deposit, Cash pickup, Mobile wallet (TeleBirr), Debit card
Pay with: Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card
Wise
Wise uses the real mid-market rate with 0% markup. Fees are typically 0.1%–2.6%. For Ethiopia, Wise supports USD wire transfers (not direct ETB). Total cost for a $1,000 transfer is often around $9 in fees.
Fees
~0.03% + $6.11 wire fee + $2.92 Wise fee (~$9 total for $1,000)
Speed
1–2 business days
Rating
9.4/10
Payout: Bank account (USD)
Pay with: Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card, Apple Pay
WorldRemit
WorldRemit claims to be ~41% cheaper than traditional banks. Supports TeleBirr and CBE Birr mobile money. Fees vary by receive method; no fixed fee for some mobile transfers. Funds typically arrive within 1 working day.
Fees
Varies by method; often $0 for first transfer promotions
Speed
1–3 days
Rating
9.2/10
Payout: Mobile money (TeleBirr, CBE Birr), Bank deposit, Cash pickup
Pay with: Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card
Ria Money Transfer
Ria is cheapest in ~21.5% of Monito comparisons. Large agent network and competitive rates. Good for both bank transfers and cash pickup.
Fees
Varies; competitive with low margins
Speed
1–3 days
Rating
8.9/10
Payout: Bank deposit, Cash pickup
Pay with: Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card, Cash (in-store)
Western Union
Western Union offers the fastest delivery—often within minutes for cash pickup. Largest agent network in Ethiopia. Online transfers are cheaper than in-store; average cost ~1.2% of amount sent.
Fees
Varies; online often cheaper than in-store
Speed
Minutes to same day
Rating
9.0/10
Payout: Cash pickup, Bank deposit, Mobile wallet
Pay with: Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card, Cash (in-store)
Dahabshiil
Dahabshiil is a major remittance provider across East Africa and the Horn, with strong presence in Ethiopia. Trusted by diaspora communities. Competitive rates for cash pickup and mobile money.
Fees
Competitive; check website for current rates
Speed
Same day to 1–2 days
Rating
8.5/10
Payout: Cash pickup, Mobile money, Bank deposit
Pay with: Bank transfer, Debit card, Cash (agent)
MoneyGram
MoneyGram has an extensive agent network in Ethiopia. Reliable for cash pickup. Fees and rates vary; compare with online-only providers for best value.
Fees
Varies by amount and method
Speed
Minutes to 1–2 days
Rating
8.3/10
Payout: Cash pickup, Bank deposit, Mobile wallet
Pay with: Debit card, Credit card, Cash (in-store)
Paysend
Paysend offers card-to-card and bank transfers with transparent pricing. Supports Ethiopia for select payout methods. Good for smaller transfers.
Fees
Low fixed fees; check app for current rates
Speed
Minutes to 1 day
Rating
8.4/10
Payout: Bank account, Mobile wallet
Pay with: Debit card, Credit card, Bank transfer
OFX
OFX specializes in larger transfers with competitive rates and no maximum limit for bank transfers. Better suited for amounts over $1,000.
Fees
No transfer fee; margin on exchange rate
Speed
1–2 business days
Rating
8.6/10
Payout: Bank account
Pay with: Bank transfer
Tip: Fees and exchange rates change frequently. Always check the provider's website or app for the exact rate and fee before sending. New customers often get promotional rates or waived fees on first transfers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to send money to Ethiopia?
XE Money Transfer is often the cheapest for bank transfers. Remitly is typically cheapest for cash pickup. Wise offers the best exchange rate (mid-market) but only supports USD wire to Ethiopia. Compare fees and rates before sending.
Can I send money to Ethiopia with Remitly?
Yes. Remitly supports Ethiopia with bank deposit, cash pickup, and mobile wallet (TeleBirr). Fees: $1.99 for bank deposit, $2.99 for cash pickup. New customers often get no fees on first transfer.
What is the fastest way to send money to Ethiopia?
Western Union offers the fastest delivery—often within minutes for cash pickup. Remitly offers next-day delivery for many options. Most providers deliver within 1–3 days.
Remitly Ethiopia birr – how does it work?
Remitly sends money to Ethiopia in birr (ETB). You can choose bank deposit, cash pickup, or TeleBirr mobile wallet. Remitly converts your USD/EUR/GBP to ETB at their exchange rate. Bank deposit: $1.99; cash pickup: $2.99. First transfer often has no fees.
WorldRemit ETB – can I send birr to Ethiopia?
Yes. WorldRemit supports sending to Ethiopia in ETB. Payout options include TeleBirr, CBE Birr, bank deposit, and cash pickup. WorldRemit claims to be ~41% cheaper than traditional banks. Fees vary by method; first transfer promotions often have $0 fees.
Telebirr transfer to bank – how do I move money from TeleBirr to my bank?
TeleBirr is Ethio Telecom's mobile wallet. To move funds to your bank: use the TeleBirr app to transfer to your linked bank account, or visit an agent. Remittances from Remitly, WorldRemit can be received directly into TeleBirr, then transferred to your bank via the app or agents.