Western Union has partnered with Zoona Transactions Zambia Limited and pan-African fintech Chipper Cash to launch international money transfer services directly within the Chipper Cash mobile app. The collaboration enables users in Zambia to send and receive funds across more than 200 countries and territories, combining Western Union’s extensive remittance infrastructure with Chipper Cash’s growing user base. This initiative offers Zambians a more convenient and digitally native way to access global financial services.
Enhancing Access Through Mobile-First Innovation
The integration allows users to conduct cross-border transactions using their smartphones, marking a significant step in Zambia’s ongoing shift toward mobile-first financial solutions. Payouts can be directed to recipients’ mobile wallets or collected in cash at any of Western Union’s hundreds of thousands of global agent locations. The service also includes plans to roll out direct bank transfers shortly, further enhancing user flexibility.
Meeting the Needs of a Digitally Active Population
Zambia, with a population exceeding 20 million, is witnessing rapid adoption of mobile money platforms, especially among underserved communities. The new partnership is designed to capitalize on this trend by embedding international transfer functionality within a widely used mobile platform. It combines Western Union’s 175 years of remittance experience with Chipper Cash and Zoona’s local fintech expertise to create a solution tailored for modern Zambian consumers.
Strong Regional Partnerships and Fintech Synergies
Chipper Cash, which acquired Zoona in 2022, has grown to serve more than 5 million users across Africa. By integrating with Western Union, the company adds another layer of utility to its app, which already supports peer-to-peer payments, bill payments, and airtime purchases. The collaboration also reflects Zoona’s strategic role in facilitating Zambia’s transition from traditional USSD services to more advanced, app-based financial experiences.
Statements from Industry Leaders
Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, Regional Vice President for Africa at Western Union, emphasized the value of the integration in providing reliable and accessible global transfer capabilities. “Integrating our services into the Chipper Cash app means customers can transfer funds across our global network—reliably and with ease,” he stated. Brett Magrath, CEO of Zoona and Chief Product Officer at Chipper Cash, added that the partnership signals a new phase in Zambia’s fintech evolution, offering richer experiences through mobile technology.
User Journey and Functionality
To use the new service, users can load their Chipper Cash wallets through various channels, including retail agents, mobile network operators, banks, and ATMs. Once funded, users can initiate Western Union money transfers directly from the app, whether on Android or iOS devices. This seamless process allows for a fast, secure, and mobile-driven solution for sending and receiving funds internationally.
Expanding Financial Inclusion Across Borders
This collaboration not only expands the reach of Western Union and Chipper Cash but also supports Zambia’s broader financial inclusion goals. By enabling more efficient and affordable access to international transfers, the service can help families, small businesses, and migrant communities maintain financial connections across borders. The partnership highlights the growing role of digital finance in enhancing economic participation in emerging markets.
The launch of global money transfer services within the Chipper Cash app represents a significant milestone for Zambia’s digital finance ecosystem. With the combined strengths of Western Union’s global network and Chipper Cash’s regional presence, Zambian users now have a powerful new tool for managing international transactions. As digital adoption accelerates across Africa, such partnerships are setting the pace for a more connected and financially inclusive future.