Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, and Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African financial institution, have announced a major collaboration designed to revolutionise cross-border payments for millions of individuals and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa.
This partnership marks the operational launch of the landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 2024 between Ecobank and TransferTo, the holding company of Thunes. The original agreement laid the foundation for transforming access to financial services and enabling seamless cross-border payment solutions across the continent.
A New Era of Financial Access
The collaboration signifies a large-scale integration of banking and fintech infrastructures, combining Ecobank’s extensive presence across Africa with Thunes’ trusted Direct Global Network. Together, they will make it easier for people and businesses to send, receive, and manage money instantly across borders.
Through this integration, both organisations aim to deliver faster settlements, improved liquidity access, and greater reach, thereby creating new pathways for economic growth and inclusion. By connecting local and global networks, this alliance sets a new standard for real-time financial connectivity that supports trade, remittances, and digital payments across Africa.
Pan-African Rollout
The partnership will be progressively deployed across Ecobank’s 32-country footprint, adhering to local regulatory frameworks in each market. This phased approach ensures operational compliance while maintaining the agility to scale across diverse financial ecosystems. Once fully rolled out, Ecobank customers will gain direct access to Thunes’ global network — spanning over 130 countries and linking to more than 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide.
This alignment of infrastructures bridges Africa’s domestic payment networks with international financial systems, facilitating smooth money transfers for personal, commercial, and institutional users alike. It positions both organisations at the forefront of Africa’s evolving digital finance landscape, supporting the growth of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the broader digital economy.
Empowering People and Businesses
The partnership will drive significant impact at every level of society. Entrepreneurs and small businesses will be able to trade seamlessly across borders without the friction of lengthy settlement times or high fees. Families will benefit from instant remittances that arrive securely, improving financial stability for millions who rely on cross-border support. Communities, too, stand to gain as faster payments unlock opportunities for inclusive growth and financial participation.
By combining Ecobank’s regional strength with Thunes’ technology-driven efficiency, the partnership makes cross-border money movement as easy as local transfers — a game-changing advancement for the continent’s financial ecosystem.
Leadership Commentary
“This collaboration marks a major development in how we power payments across Africa,” said Peter De Caluwe, Co-Founder and CEO of Thunes. “Thunes’ solutions and Ecobank’s reach are a perfect match: together we’re delivering faster, more reliable access to liquidity and creating new pathways for growth across Sub-Saharan Africa. The result is a live, large-scale solution that’s transforming how money moves across the continent. This represents a key milestone in our mission to enable the next billion end users to take part in the global economy.”
Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, echoed this sentiment, adding: “Our collaboration with Thunes perfectly aligns with Ecobank’s mission to provide borderless banking and drive financial inclusion across Africa. By combining our robust banking infrastructure with Thunes’ fintech innovation and trusted Direct Global Network, we’re expanding real-time financial access for millions and driving the growth of Africa’s digital economy.”
First Launch in Togo
The first operational market under this partnership is Togo, where Ecobank customers can now enjoy instant payments from global remittance players. This early launch highlights the partnership’s readiness and sets the stage for a broader, systematic rollout across Ecobank’s other markets in the coming months.
The success of the Togo launch demonstrates how collaboration between established banks and next-generation fintechs can accelerate financial transformation at scale. It also underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to building a more connected, efficient, and inclusive financial future for Africa.
Together, Thunes and Ecobank are redefining what it means to move money across borders — making it faster, fairer, and more accessible than ever before.
