The African diaspora in France sends several billion euros to the continent every year. The real cost of a transfer depends on two things: the displayed fees and the hidden margin in the exchange rate. This guide compares available services by corridor and breaks down costs country by country.
Services compared
- Wise: real (interbank) exchange rate, transparent fees of 0.35 to 1 % (around 2 % to Algeria due to exchange controls).
- Traditional banks: exchange margin of 2 to 4 % + fixed commission, often with no clear disclosure.
- Western Union: useful for cash pickup, but fixed fees + exchange margin.
- Remitly, WorldRemit, Taptap Send, Sendwave: cover FCFA countries (Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Mali) that Wise does not yet serve, with direct transfer to mobile money (Wave, Orange Money).
What does a transfer really cost?
On a 500 € transfer, the gap between the best and worst service often exceeds 20 to 30 €, i.e. 4 to 6 % of the amount. The difference comes almost entirely from the exchange margin: banks and some operators advertise low fees but apply a rate below the real rate. You must therefore compare the amount received, not just the stated fees.
Our country-by-country comparisons
- Sending money to Morocco: fees and rates comparison 2026
- Sending money to Tunisia: fees and rates comparison 2026
- Sending money to Algeria: fees and rates comparison 2026
- Sending money to Nigeria: fees and rates comparison 2026
- Sending money to Kenya: fees and rates comparison 2026
- Sending money to Ghana: fees and rates comparison 2026
Wise applies the real exchange rate and displays its fees upfront. On most covered corridors (Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana), it is the cheapest option for sending to a bank account.
FCFA countries
Wise does not yet cover transfers to FCFA countries (XOF/XAF) from France: Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Cameroun. For these corridors, specialist digital services (Remitly, WorldRemit, Taptap Send, Sendwave) send directly to mobile money within minutes. Our dedicated comparisons, with 2026 figures: Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Mali. The DRC (Congolese franc, not CFA) has its own dedicated comparison: sending money to the DRC.
Good deal — Taptap Send: available on FCFA corridors (Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Cameroun), received within minutes on mobile money. Download Taptap Send and enter code AXEL2626 for your welcome bonus.
Good deal — LemFi: available on FCFA corridors (Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Cameroun, Bénin, Togo, Burkina), zero transfer fees and receipt within minutes. Download LemFi and enter code AXELF3HH for your welcome bonus.
Good deal — Paysend: available on FCFA corridors (Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Cameroun), fixed fees and real-time exchange rate. Create a Paysend account — your first transfer is fee-free via this referral link.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the cheapest service for sending money to Africa?
For transfers to a bank account, Wise is generally the cheapest on the corridors it covers (real rate + fees of 0.35 to 1 %). For FCFA countries, prefer Remitly, WorldRemit or Taptap Send.
Why does the exchange margin matter so much?
Because it applies to the total amount, not the fee. A 3 % margin on 500 € represents 15 € in hidden cost, on top of the stated fees. This is the main difference between services.
Are mobile money transfers fast?
Yes: to Wave or Orange Money (Sénégal, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali), digital services often deliver within minutes, with fees among the lowest on the market.
Disclaimer: the information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Check with official bodies before making any decision.
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Also read: Index Les Afriques 2026: the 15 most dynamic African countries.
