How to send money to South Sudan
- Average cost, Kenya to South Sudan
- 13.43% of a US$200 transfer, third quarter of 2025 1
- Global average cost
- 6.36% of the amount sent 2
- Cost from Europe, third quarter of 2022
- 10.5% of a US$200 transfer, per UNCDF 3
- Cost from the United States, third quarter of 2022
- 5.3% of a US$200 transfer, per UNCDF 3
- Regulator
- Bank of South Sudan 8
Ways to send money
- Money transfer operators. Western Union, MoneyGram and Dahabshiil appear in World Bank price data for the Kenya to South Sudan corridor 1.
- Bank transfers. UNCDF reports that bank transfers run through correspondent banks over SWIFT, which it says is expensive for small amounts 3.
- Mobile money inbound. UNCDF reports that mGurush launched an international remittance service and has cross-border links with MTN Uganda and Safaricom Kenya 3. Chris Donkin of Mobile World Live reported the m-Gurush cross-border launch on 29 April 2020 5.
- MTN MoMo. MTN lists receiving money from abroad among MoMo services 6.
- Informal channels. UNCDF says informal networks remain a prominent way for South Sudanese people to send money 3.
Costs in World Bank data
The World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide database lists South Sudan as a receiving country 2. For the Kenya to South Sudan corridor, data were collected from 14 August 2025 to 1 September 2025 for a transfer of KSh 18,000, equal to US$200 1. Total cost is the sender fee plus the exchange rate margin 1.
| Provider | Fee | FX margin | Total cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MoneyGram 1 | KSh 350.00 (US$3.89) 1 | 0.52% 1 | 2.46% 1 | Less than one hour 1 |
| Dahabshiil 1 | KSh 414.00 (US$4.60) 1 | 0.55% 1 | 2.85% 1 | Same day 1 |
| EcoBank Rapid Transfer 1 | KSh 517.50 (US$5.75) 1 | 1.81% 1 | 4.69% 1 | Less than one hour 1 |
| Western Union 1 | KSh 207.00 (US$2.30) 1 | 5.68% 1 | 6.83% 1 | Less than one hour 1 |
| KCB Bank 1 | KSh 2,400.00 (US$26.67) 1 | 1.81% 1 | 15.14% 1 | 2 days 1 |
| Ecobank 1 | KSh 6,065.10 (US$67.39) 1 | 1.81% 1 | 35.51% 1 | Same day 1 |
| Average of all providers 1 | KSh 1,975.13 (US$21.95) 1 | 2.45% 1 | 13.43% 1 | Not stated 1 |
Older cost data
UNCDF reported in April 2023 that sending US$200 to South Sudan from Europe cost 10.5% in the third quarter of 2022, against 5.3% from the United States 3. It said country-specific cost data were not available for South Sudan. It named the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Kenya as the least costly corridors into the country 3.
What the Bank of South Sudan says
The Bank of South Sudan says it holds sole responsibility for supervising, regulating and licensing financial institutions 8.
As reported by James Atem Kuir of Eye Radio on 19 July 2025, the central bank said mobile money transactions shall carry the same legal validity as cash or bank transfers 4.
UNCDF reported that the central bank licenses forex bureaux and mobile money operators, and counted 58 forex bureaux with valid licences 3.
Limits on mobile money accounts
As reported by Amnon Jakony for Access Radio on 1 September 2026, the Electronic Money Regulation 2017 Amendment 2025 sets tiered limits. Over-the-counter transactions are capped at SSP 6,500,000 per transfer 7.
| Tier | ID needed | Maximum balance | Daily limit | Monthly limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier One 7 | Simplified ID such as a student or local chief ID 7 | SSP 6,500,000 7 | SSP 1,625,000 7 | SSP 13,000,000 7 |
| Tier Two 7 | Passport or government ID 7 | SSP 26,000,000 7 | SSP 6,500,000 7 | SSP 52,000,000 7 |
| Tier Three 7 | Companies and government entities 7 | SSP 65,000,000 7 | SSP 13,000,000 7 | SSP 130,000,000 7 |
Before you send
- Compare total cost, not only the fee. World Bank data count the exchange rate margin as part of the cost 1.
- Check how fast the money arrives. Some operators in the World Bank data pay out in less than one hour and others take 2 days 1.
- Check the receiver's account tier. A Tier One account has a daily limit of SSP 1,625,000 7.
Common questions
What is the cheapest way to send money from Kenya to South Sudan?
In World Bank data for the third quarter of 2025, MoneyGram had the lowest total cost at 2.46% of a US$200 transfer 1.
Can I send money from abroad to a mobile money wallet in South Sudan?
UNCDF reports that mGurush launched an international remittance service 3. MTN lists receiving money from abroad among MoMo services 6.
Is mobile money valid payment in South Sudan?
The central bank said mobile money transactions carry the same legal validity as cash or bank transfers, as reported by Eye Radio on 19 July 2025 4.
What does it cost on average to send money worldwide?
The World Bank puts the global average at 6.36% of the amount sent 2.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email hello@southsudanmobilemoney.com with the official link.
Sources
- World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide: Sending money from Kenya to South Sudan, third quarter 2025
- World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide: home page, data to third quarter 2025 (last update 18 August 2025)
- UNCDF: South Sudan Payment Infrastructure Assessment Report (April 2023)
- Eye Radio, James Atem Kuir: You can now use mobile money for payments, central bank (19 July 2025)
- Mobile World Live, Chris Donkin: South Sudan provider launches cross border payments (29 April 2020)
- MTN South Sudan: MoMo from MTN, provider page (checked 20 October 2026)
- Radio Yei, Amnon Jakony for Access Radio: BoSS sets strict USD caps on mobile money (1 September 2026)
- Bank of South Sudan: Licensing (checked 20 October 2026)
Related
- Mobile money providers in South Sudan
Mobile money and e-money services in South Sudan, the companies behind them and the licence status each source publishes.
- CapitalPay in South Sudan
The official CapitalPay login link, what the service offers in South Sudan and what official bodies have published about the company named on its site.
- Mobile money fees in South Sudan
Mobile money fee tables published on South Sudan provider pages. Where a provider publishes none, this page says Not published.
- Mobile money safety in South Sudan
PIN safety, wrong transfers, scams and where to complain about mobile money in South Sudan, from provider terms and official sources.