Nigerians abroad can now send cash home instantly

Sterling Bank has joined Thunes’ global payment network, offering Nigerians abroad faster, cheaper, and more transparent ways to send money home. The partnership leverages Thunes’ reach across 130 countries and billions of mobile wallets worldwide.

By Nhlanhla Muthe

Sterling Bank has partnered with Thunes’ Direct Global Network, giving millions of Nigerians abroad a faster, cheaper, and more reliable way to send money home.

With real-time payments across Europe and access to billions of wallets worldwide, this alliance is set to transform cross-border financial connections for Africa’s largest diaspora community.

Announced in Singapore and Lagos on January 6, the partnership connects Sterling Bank to Thunes, a global payments infrastructure provider often described as the “smart superhighway” for moving money around the world. The collaboration targets Nigerians living across Europe initially, where demand for dependable remittance services continues to grow.

Daniel Parreira, SVP Sales – Africa at Thunes, underlined that with an estimated 17 million Nigerians residing abroad, remittances remain a critical pillar of Africa’s largest economy. Research by Thunes shows that 46% of diaspora consumers in Europe send money home as regularly as they pay rent or utilities, underscoring the importance of reliability, speed and cost.

“Welcoming Sterling Bank to our Direct Global Network marks another significant milestone in our expansion across Africa. Together, we’re enabling a new level of convenience, speed and confidence for customers managing finances across borders. This alliance demonstrates our dedication to making global money movement instant, transparent and accessible for all,” said Parreira.

Founded and headquartered in Singapore, Thunes operates one of the world’s most extensive payment networks, enabling real-time transactions in over 130 countries and more than 80 currencies. Its network directly connects billions of mobile wallets, bank accounts and cards, including popular African platforms such as M-Pesa, MTN and Airtel, positioning it as a key enabler of financial inclusion across emerging markets.

For Sterling Bank, the deal strengthens its digital banking ambitions and diaspora focus. “This partnership reflects Sterling Bank’s deep commitment to making it easier for Nigerians abroad to send money home. With Thunes’ trusted technology, we’re offering a faster, more reliable and more affordable way for customers to fund their Sterling accounts from overseas,” said Ayodeji Saba, Head of Switch & Remittances at Sterling Bank. “

With more than 60 years of banking heritage, Sterling Bank has evolved into a forward-thinking Nigerian financial institution, guided by its HEART strategy spanning health, education, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation. By plugging into Thunes’ global rails, the bank is positioning itself, and Nigeria’s diaspora, at the centre of a more connected African financial future.