Sending money to DRC: fees and rates comparison 2026
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is among the main remittance recipient countries in Central Africa, driven by a large diaspora in France, Belgium, South Africa and the United States. Sending money to Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Goma or Bukavu has become fast thanks to mobile money (M-Pesa, Orange Money, Airtel Money) and online services, but fees and exchange rates vary greatly from one provider to another. Here is a detailed comparison, based on official rate sheets and World Bank data, for sending money to the DRC in 2026.
The Congolese franc (CDF), a floating and bi-monetary currency
Unlike the CFA franc, the Congolese franc (CDF) is not pegged to the euro: it floats freely. In 2026, 1 euro is worth approximately 2 600 to 2 700 CDF, with a downward trend over the last decade. Above all, the DRC is bi-monetary: the US dollar circulates alongside the Congolese franc, and approximately 90 % of bank deposits are denominated in USD. In practice, many households keep their savings in dollars and only convert to CDF for everyday expenses. The rate applied by your provider is therefore decisive: a margin of 2 to 3 % on a transfer of 200 € represents several thousand Congolese francs lost for the recipient.
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Tableau comparatif des services (2026)
| Indicative fees | Delay | Payment method | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taptap Send | Pas de frais fixes, petite marge sur le taux | Minutes | Airtel Money, Orange Money |
| Western Union | Variable (≈ 2 at 8 % du montant) | Minutes | Espèces en agence |
| M-Pesa / Orange / Airtel | Réception ≈ 1 at 2 % (retrait étagé) | Instantané | Portefeuille mobile |
| Virement bancaire SWIFT | 15 at 40 € + marges de change | 2 at 5 jours | Compte bancaire |
Indicative fees recorded in 2026; check the exact amount before each transfer.
Taptap Send: simple and fast for mobile money
Taptap Send allows you to send money to the DRC to Airtel Money and Orange Money wallets, in just a few minutes. From France, Taptap Send does not charge fixed fees: only a small margin on the exchange rate applies, which often makes it cheaper than a bank transfer. New users: enter the code AXEL2626 during your first transfer to receive a welcome bonus.
Western Union: cash withdrawal throughout the country
Western Union has an extensive network of branches in the DRC, which is useful when the recipient prefers cash or does not have a mobile money account. Fees vary depending on the amount and payment method, and the exchange rate margin is generally higher than that of digital services. Depending on the branch, withdrawal can be made in Congolese francs or US dollars.
M-Pesa, Orange Money and Airtel Money: local mobile money
The DRC is a mobile money country: M-Pesa (Vodacom) dominates the market with around 51 % of subscriptions, ahead of Airtel Money and Orange Money. Receiving a transfer to a mobile wallet is instantaneous. On the fees side, sending costs approximately 1 to 2 %, but cash withdrawal fees are heavily tiered: up to 9 % on very small amounts, and less than 2 % on larger amounts. Keeping money in the wallet — or paying a merchant directly — makes it possible to avoid these withdrawal fees.
Bank transfer (SWIFT): reliable but more expensive
The international wire transfer to a Congolese bank account remains possible via SWIFT, but it combines multiple costs: sending fees from your bank (often 15 to 40 €), receiving fees on the Congolese side, and an unfavorable exchange rate margin. It is only cost-effective for large amounts. For a transfer of a few hundred euros, digital services are significantly cheaper.
How to choose the right service?
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- Small amount (less than 100 €) : prefer a digital service to mobile money (Taptap Send), to avoid fixed banking fees.
- Recipient without mobile money: Western Union, for cash withdrawal at a branch.
- Large amount: compare the SWIFT transfer and digital services by looking at the actual rate applied.
- Currency: decide with the recipient whether they prefer to receive in Congolese francs or in dollars (the country is bi-monetary).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest service to send money to the DRC?
For most transfers from France, Taptap Send is among the cheapest: no fixed fees, a simple margin on the exchange rate, and receipt within a few minutes on Airtel Money or Orange Money.
How long does it take for money to arrive in DRC?
A transfer via Taptap Send or Western Union generally arrives within a few minutes. A SWIFT bank transfer takes from 2 to 5 business days.
What exchange rate applies for the euro to the Congolese franc (CDF)?
The Congolese franc is floating: in 2026, 1 euro is worth approximately 2 600 to 2 700 CDF. Each provider applies its own rate, generally with a margin relative to the interbank rate — this is where the real cost of the transfer lies.
Can you receive money in dollars in the DRC?
Yes. The DRC is bi-monetary: M-Pesa, Airtel Money and Orange Money wallets handle both the Congolese franc and the US dollar, and many Western Union agencies pay out in dollars.
See also our complete comparison of money transfers to Africa.
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