Absa Group and Thunes have introduced Absa Global Pay, a digital remittance service allowing Absa customers to send money internationally via the Absa Banking App or Absa Online platform.
In their official announcement on March 3, 2026, Absa Global Pay was launched with an initial rollout covering six countries—UK, Kenya, India, Malawi, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe—and plans for further expansion to a total of 18 nations.
This service offers multiple payout options such as bank transfers, mobile wallet deposits, and cash pickup points. Customers can receive real-time transaction alerts and monitor the payment status from start to finish.
Simplifying Cross-Border Payments in Africa
Historically, remittance costs within and into Africa have been among the highest globally. High fees and unfavorable exchange rates significantly reduce the value received by recipients who depend on such transfers for their livelihoods, healthcare, and education.
Absa Global Pay is designed to address these challenges through Absa’s extensive banking presence in key African markets combined with Thunes’ Direct Global Network. This partnership aims to offer lower fees, transparent pricing, and competitive exchange rates.
Moreover, the service caters to the growing demand for digital-first remittance solutions that provide clear cost information upfront, which is often lacking in traditional correspondent banking channels where fee structures and exchange rate margins are not always transparent.
Speaking on the collaboration, Nick Nkosi, Managing Executive for Transactional and Deposits at Absa Personal and Private Banking, emphasized that the partnership seeks to provide a simpler, faster, and more cost-effective remittance experience. He noted that research highlighted a significant opportunity to enhance value in cross-border payments for customers.
Simon Nelson, Chief Commercial Officer at Thunes, also highlighted the importance of this launch as it supports intra-African money movement and extends inclusive financial connectivity to communities worldwide.
