Western Union and Sasai Fintech, a Cassava Technologies company, have launched a new international money transfer mobile app tailored specifically for consumers in South Africa.
The new application is designed to meet the evolving needs of an increasingly connected and mobile population, offering users a seamless and reliable way to send money abroad at any time.
Combining PaaS with global networks
The strategic collaboration fuses Western Union’s expansive global network—which spans more than 200 countries and territories—with Sasai Fintech’s cutting-edge Payments-as-a-Service (PaaS) technology. Sasai’s PaaS solution operates as a fully integrated, end-to-end remittance platform that encompasses both the necessary technology infrastructure and the required regulatory licensing.
Through the co-branded service, customers can transfer funds to billions of bank accounts and wallets worldwide, or opt for cash pick-up at hundreds of thousands of retail locations abroad. Users are provided with multiple convenient funding options to initiate these transfers, including:
- Sasai’s extensive retail network of over 150,000 outlets.
- Debit or credit cards.
- Electronic funds transfers (EFT) directly from their bank accounts.
Capitalising on South Africa’s digital engagement
The launch targets a highly digitally engaged population. According to South Africa’s 2023 General Household Survey, nearly 80 per cent of households in the country have internet access, with almost 73 per cent connecting via mobile devices.
Furthermore, the demand for cross-border financial services is substantial; market data shows that outbound personal remittances from South Africa exceeded $1billion in 2024.
Industry perspectives
Mohamed Touhami el Ouazzani, Western Union’s head of Africa, highlighted the strategic importance of the region: “South Africa, is home to a growing population of digitally savvy consumers, many with deep ties across borders, that seek ways to move money internationally with flexibility and confidence. We are delighted then that our partnership with Sasai Fintech allows us to bring the strength of our global network to where people are, enabling South Africa’s consumers to connect with the world, unlocking opportunity and helping communities and families thrive in an increasingly globalized economy.”
Darlington Mandivenga, CEO of fintech and digital platforms at Cassava Technologies, emphasized the broader technological impact: “Our partnership with Western Union accelerates financial inclusion and delivers real value to Africans in the diaspora and their families across the continent. Backed by our regulated assets, integrated tech stack, super app platform, and innovations like stablecoins, we’re redefining Africa’s payments infrastructure.”
The new mobile app is currently available for download on both Android and iOS smartphones. The companies note that customers can register, verify their identity, and begin sending money globally in just a few clicks.
