Send money · πΏπ¦ South Africa β πΏπΌ Zimbabwe
Send money from South Africa to Zimbabwe
How to send ZAR from South Africa to Zimbabwe: the current rate (1.6221 ZWG per 1 ZAR), the cheapest provider (Mama Money: 0.0% spread, ZAR 45.00 fee), and a side-by-side comparison of all major remittance providers.
Mid-market rate today
1.6221 ZWG per 1 ZAR
Updated Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:02:31 +0000
Cheapest provider
Mama Money
0.0% spread · ZAR 45.00 fee
Provider comparison: 5 options for ZAR β ZWG
| Provider | Spread | Fee | Payout | Speed | Effective rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mama Money
Zero-margin headline; recovers cost via flat fee. SA-focused fintech.
|
0.0% | ZAR 45.00 | Cash pickup / EcoCash | Minutes | 1.6221 | Send β |
|
Wise
|
0.6% | ZAR 35.00 | USD bank deposit | Within hours | 1.6124 | Send β |
|
Sasai Remit
Cassava/Econet, direct EcoCash payout.
|
1.5% | ZAR 20.00 | EcoCash / cash pickup | Minutes | 1.5978 | Send β |
|
WorldRemit
|
1.5% | ZAR 40.00 | Cash pickup / mobile money / bank | Minutes | 1.5978 | Send β |
|
Mukuru
Dominant for SAβZim transfers.
|
2.0% | ZAR 30.00 | Cash pickup (1,300+ Zim branches) | Minutes | 1.5896 | Send β |
How to send money to Zimbabwe in four steps
- Compare providers above. The cheapest by combined cost for typical retail amounts is currently Mama Money. Effective rate ~1.6221 ZWG per 1 ZAR.
- Sign up with the provider. South Africa regulators require ID verification (passport or driving licence) and a proof of address.
- Add your Zimbabwean recipient with their EcoCash or OneMoney number, a USD bank account number, or a cash-pickup ID. Mobile money is fastest; USD bank deposit is most flexible.
- Send. Enter the amount, confirm the rate and fee, and authorise the transfer. Most arrive within minutes (mobile money) to one business day (bank).
What currency should I send in?
The default and simplest is to send ZAR and have the recipient receive USD in Zimbabwe, either to a USD bank account or as cash pickup. USD circulates freely alongside ZWG and most prices are still quoted in USD.
If your recipient specifically wants ZWG (Zim Gold), choose a provider that pays out to an EcoCash or OneMoney ZWG wallet. Note that the provider will convert at their own rate, not the parallel-market rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from South Africa to Zimbabwe?
Based on combined FX spread and flat fees, Mama Money is typically the cheapest for typical retail amounts: a 0.0% spread and a ZAR 45.00 fee, paying out via Cash pickup / EcoCash. For very small or very large amounts, run the calculator on the provider's own site as fee structures change at thresholds.
How long does it take to send money from South Africa to Zimbabwe?
It depends on the provider and the payout method. Mobile money payouts (EcoCash, OneMoney) usually arrive in minutes. Cash pickup at branches (Mukuru, ZB Bank, OK Mart) is also minutes. USD bank deposits can take a few hours to one business day. Bank-to-bank transfers without using a remittance specialist can take 2β5 days and cost considerably more.
Is it legal to send money to Zimbabwe?
Yes. South Africa has no restrictions on outbound remittances to Zimbabwe. Inbound remittances are encouraged by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and are typically paid out in USD or via mobile money in ZWG.
Can I send to EcoCash or OneMoney from South Africa?
Yes. WorldRemit, Mukuru and Sasai support EcoCash and OneMoney mobile-money payouts. Wise and Remitly typically only deposit to USD bank accounts. Check each provider's payout list for the current options.
What's the difference between USD and ZWG payout?
Most providers offer USD bank deposit as the default, which avoids any currency conversion at the Zimbabwean end. ZWG (Zim Gold) payouts convert at the provider's chosen rate, which may not match the official rate. For most diaspora purposes, USD payout is simpler.
Sources
- open.er-api.com, the interbank composite rate
- Provider spreads & fees: hand-curated by The Mutapa Times, last reviewed 2026-05-11. Indicative only. Real fees vary by pay-in method (debit card vs bank transfer), pay-out method (cash pickup vs USD bank vs EcoCash), and promotional offers. Always verify on the provider site before sending.
This page is editorial. The Mutapa Times may earn referral revenue from links to money-transfer providers, which does not affect our ranking by effective rate.
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