Thunes and MoMo PSB have formed a new partnership that enables Nigerians to receive cross-border payments instantly into their mobile wallets. The collaboration connects MoMo PSB, the fintech subsidiary of MTN Nigeria, with Thunes’ global payments infrastructure to streamline remittances from major international corridors. This launch is expected to significantly boost the speed, convenience, and reliability of inbound transfers for millions of users across the country.
Expanding Cross-Border Remittance Corridors
Through this alliance, Nigerians can now receive money in real time from key markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and South Africa. The initiative strengthens MoMo PSB’s strategy to grow both its African and international remittance corridors, positioning it as a central channel for diaspora flows into Nigeria. By widening access to these routes, the partnership supports a smoother movement of funds from overseas workers, families, and professional networks.
Everyday Use Cases for Nigerian Consumers
Once funds arrive in a MoMo wallet, users can immediately apply them to practical day-to-day needs. Customers can top up airtime, pay bills, send money domestically to family and friends, and participate in digital commerce without needing to visit a bank branch. This frictionless access to international transfers helps convert remittances into real economic activity at street level across Nigeria.
Strengthening Financial Inclusion and the Digital Economy
The collaboration is designed to deepen financial inclusion by giving more Nigerians an easy way to receive money from abroad through a regulated digital channel. By integrating MoMo PSB into Thunes’ Direct Global Network, the partners aim to lower barriers to global financial flows for people who may not have traditional bank accounts. This is particularly relevant in Nigeria, where remittance inflows reached 20.9 billion dollars in 2024, contributing to the growth of the country’s digital economy.
The Role of Thunes’ Direct Global Network
Thunes operates a proprietary global payments network that connects to mobile wallets, neobanks, and financial institutions to move money securely in real time. Its infrastructure covers more than 130 countries and over 80 currencies, linking billions of wallets, bank accounts, and cards through hundreds of payment methods. By tapping into this network, MoMo PSB gains direct, reliable access to international sending partners and can offer faster, more transparent cross-border transactions to its users.
MoMo PSB’s Fintech Footprint in Nigeria
MoMo PSB, as a subsidiary of MTN Nigeria, already serves millions of customers with digital financial services across the country. Its platform supports payments, e-commerce, insurance, and remittances, all accessible via mobile channels that operate anytime and anywhere. Integrating global remittance capabilities on top of this existing footprint enhances the value of MoMo wallets and further embeds them in Nigeria’s financial landscape.
Executive Perspectives on the Partnership
Aik Boon Tan, Chief Network Officer at Thunes, highlighted that the alliance is about giving Nigerians instant, secure access to money from abroad while simplifying cross-border payments for network members. He noted that connecting to Nigeria through MoMo PSB opens a large and fast-growing market to Thunes’ partners with minimal friction. This reinforces Thunes’ mission to enable the next billion users in emerging markets to plug into the global economy.
Commitment to Inclusive Digital Finance
MoMo PSB Chief Executive Officer Phrase Lubega emphasized that joining the Thunes Direct Global Network supports the company’s commitment to financial inclusion across Nigeria. He explained that users can now receive funds from friends, family, and professional contacts overseas through a cost-effective, transparent, and reliable channel. According to him, this capability helps Nigerians participate more fully in the digital economy and strengthens inclusive growth nationwide.
The partnership between Thunes and MoMo PSB creates a powerful new rail for remittances into Nigeria, uniting global payment infrastructure with a widely used local mobile wallet. By enabling instant, secure cross-border transfers and linking them directly to everyday financial use cases, the collaboration is poised to benefit both consumers and the broader economy. As remittance volumes continue to grow, the alliance positions Thunes and MoMo PSB as key enablers of accessible and inclusive digital finance in Nigeria.