How to Send Money from South Africa to Tanzania

Sending money from South Africa to Tanzania is possible through remittance providers, banks and digital payment services that support the corridor.

The latest Bank of Tanzania payment-system data show that Tanzania recorded 1.45 million incoming bank-remittance transactions worth TZS2,290.32 billion in 2025. Bank of Tanzania — National Payment Systems Annual Report 2025

At the same time, electronic-money issuers handled 8.74 million incoming remittance transactions worth TZS1,753.97 billion in 2025. Bank of Tanzania — National Payment Systems Annual Report 2025

The mobile-payment network is even larger.

Tanzania recorded 7,959.40 million mobile-payment transactions worth TZS255,133.96 billion in 2025. Bank of Tanzania — National Payment Systems Annual Report 2025

For someone sending money from South Africa, this means the receiving side can be digital from end to end.

The recipient may receive money into a bank account.

The recipient may receive money through mobile money.

The recipient may also collect cash.

South Africa to Tanzania at a Glance

• TZS2,290.32 billion — value of incoming remittances facilitated by Tanzanian banks in 2025.

• 1.45 million — incoming bank-remittance transactions in Tanzania in 2025.

• TZS1,753.97 billion — value of incoming remittances facilitated by electronic-money issuers in 2025.

• 8.74 million — incoming remittance transactions facilitated by electronic-money issuers in 2025.

• 5.73 million — incoming cross-border payments through mobile-payment rails in 2025.

• TZS698.00 billion — value of those incoming mobile-payment cross-border transactions in 2025.

• 7,959.40 million — total mobile-payment transaction volume in Tanzania in 2025.

• TZS255,133.96 billion — total mobile-payment transaction value in Tanzania in 2025.

• 75,775,654 — active mobile-money users in Tanzania in 2025.

• 1,982,162 — mobile-money agents in Tanzania in 2025.

• 2,789,455 — merchants accepting digital payments in Tanzania in 2025.

• 24.10% — annual growth in mobile-payment transaction volume in 2025.

• 28.30% — annual growth in mobile-payment transaction value in 2025.

• 14.63% — annual growth in incoming bank-remittance transaction volume in 2025.

• 21.01% — annual growth in incoming bank-remittance value in 2025.

• 32.76% — growth in incoming cross-border mobile-payment transaction volume in 2025.

• 33.45% — growth in incoming cross-border mobile-payment value in 2025.

• R25,000 — Mama Money first-transaction limit for Tanzania mobile-wallet or cash routes.

• R50,000 — Mama Money standard per-order limit after activation.

• R100,000 — Mama Money upgraded monthly limit.

• 5% or less — Mama Money's published Tanzania transfer fee.

• R1,000 — example transfer amount used by Mama Money when showing its Tanzania fee.

• R10,000 — second example transfer amount used by Mama Money when showing its Tanzania fee.

• R2,000 — Mukuru Lite monthly limit.

• R25,000 — Mukuru Core monthly limit.

• R2 million — Mukuru Max annual limit for South African nationals under its published rules.

These figures come from different sources.

They describe Tanzania's payment system, remittance flows and provider-specific rules.

They should not be combined into one measure of South Africa-to-Tanzania transfer volume.

Can You Send Money from South Africa to Tanzania?

Yes.

International money-transfer services support Tanzania as a destination.

WorldRemit's current Tanzania service offers bank transfer, cash pickup and mobile money, with the available method depending on the receiving side. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

WorldRemit also confirms that South Africa is a supported sending country for its service. WorldRemit — Sending from South Africa

Mama Money currently supports South Africa-to-Tanzania transfers to mobile wallets and cash collection, and its service also covers bank transfers. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

Mukuru also lists Tanzania among its destinations for South African senders. Mukuru — Send Money

What Are the Main Ways to Send Money?

There are several broad options.

Mobile Wallet

Send money directly to a Tanzanian mobile-money account.

Bank Account

Send money directly to a Tanzanian bank account.

Cash Pickup

Send money that the recipient collects through an approved payout network.

Bank or Payment Service

Use a bank-linked international transfer where the provider and corridor support it.

The best route depends on what the recipient needs.

How to Send Money from South Africa to Tanzania

The exact screens differ between providers.

The underlying process is similar.

1. Choose the provider

Confirm that Tanzania is supported from South Africa.

Then check the receiving method.

Do not assume that every provider supports every Tanzanian wallet or bank.

2. Create your account

Register with the provider.

You will normally need to provide identity and contact information.

WorldRemit says South African customers may need photo ID and address verification before a transfer can be completed. WorldRemit — Sending from South Africa

3. Select Tanzania

Choose Tanzania as the receiving country.

Then select the payout method.

4. Enter the recipient details

The details depend on the method.

A mobile-wallet transfer needs the recipient's mobile number.

A bank transfer needs the bank and account details.

A cash pickup needs the recipient information required by the payout provider.

5. Enter the amount in rand

Enter the amount you want to send in ZAR.

The provider should show the amount the recipient will receive in Tanzanian shillings.

6. Review the exchange rate

Check the ZAR-to-TZS rate.

Do not compare providers using the transfer fee alone.

7. Review the final payout

Look at the exact TZS amount the recipient should receive.

This is the most useful number for comparing two providers.

8. Pay for the transfer

Depending on the provider, you may pay through online banking, EFT, card or cash.

Mama Money currently says customers can pay via online banking or EFT and can also pay cash at participating retail partners. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

Mukuru also supports bank and cash funding methods. Mukuru — International Money Transfers

9. Track the payment

Keep the transaction reference.

Use it if the payment is delayed or the recipient does not receive the expected funds.

How Fast Is South Africa to Tanzania?

Speed depends on the payout method.

Mama Money currently says transfers to Tanzanian mobile wallets and cash collection are sent within minutes.

It says bank transfers take about 5 hours on average but can take up to 48 hours depending on the recipient institution. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

WorldRemit says 90% of transfers to Tanzania reach its local partners within minutes, after which cash-pickup funds are ready for collection. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

The actual delivery time can vary because of identity checks, recipient details, payment completion and local operating hours.

How Much Does It Cost?

There is no single South Africa-to-Tanzania price.

The cost depends on the provider, amount, payout method and exchange rate.

Mama Money currently advertises a Tanzania fee of 5% or less, depending on the amount.

Its published example shows a R50 fee on a R1,000 transfer.

Its second example shows a R250 fee on a R10,000 transfer.

Those are Mama Money prices.

They are not the universal price of the corridor.

Why the Exchange Rate Matters

The transfer fee is only one part of the cost.

The provider also controls the exchange rate used to convert ZAR into TZS.

A lower fee does not automatically mean a better deal.

A provider with a slightly higher fee can produce a larger TZS payout if its exchange rate is better.

That is why the final amount received matters most.

For the wider pricing problem, see cross-border payments in South Africa.

What Does Tanzania's Latest Payment Data Show?

The Bank of Tanzania's 2025 National Payment Systems Annual Report shows strong growth in digital payment activity.

Mobile-payment transaction volume reached 7,959.40 million transactions in 2025.

The total value reached TZS255,133.96 billion in 2025.

Volume increased by 24.10%.

Value increased by 28.30%.

This matters for international payments because remittances ultimately need a domestic channel.

Tanzania's Mobile-Money Network Is Large

The Bank of Tanzania reports 75,775,654 active mobile-money users in 2025.

It also reports 1,982,162 mobile-money agents.

The number of merchants accepting digital payments reached 2,789,455 in 2025.

Those numbers show why mobile wallets are an important receiving option.

Tanzania's Remittance Market Is Also Becoming More Digital

The Bank of Tanzania recorded 1.45 million incoming bank-remittance transactions in 2025.

The value was TZS2,290.32 billion.

Incoming bank-remittance volume increased by 14.63%.

Incoming bank-remittance value increased by 21.01%.

That is the bank channel alone.

Mobile-Money Remittances Are Growing Faster

Incoming remittances through electronic-money issuers reached 8.74 million transactions in 2025.

The value reached TZS1,753.97 billion.

Volume increased by 153.36%.

Value increased by 64.73%.

The Bank of Tanzania says stronger partnerships between mobile-money operators, money-transfer operators and international remittance hubs helped drive that expansion. Bank of Tanzania — National Payment Systems Annual Report 2025

Cross-Border Mobile Payments Are Growing Too

The Bank of Tanzania reports that incoming cross-border payments through mobile-payment rails reached 5.73 million transactions in 2025.

Their value was TZS698.00 billion.

Volume grew by 32.76%.

Value grew by 33.45%.

The Bank of Tanzania says these flows cover the East African Community, SADC region and the rest of the world. Bank of Tanzania — National Payment Systems Annual Report 2025

This is important for South Africa-to-Tanzania transfers because South Africa and Tanzania are both connected to regional payment infrastructure, even though the consumer route may still run through a remittance provider.

Tanzania and Regional Payment Infrastructure

Tanzania participates in both East African and Southern African payment systems.

The Bank of Tanzania lists EAPS and SADC-RTGS among the country's clearing and settlement systems. Bank of Tanzania — Payment Systems

In 2025, Tanzania accounted for 3,699 SADC-RTGS transactions worth ZAR1,200.13 million.

SADC-RTGS as a whole processed 1,823,105 transactions worth ZAR2,820,441.09 million in 2025.

The Tanzanian figures are institutional settlement data.

They are not a count of consumer remittances from South Africa.

What Is TIPS?

Tanzania Instant Payment System, or TIPS, is the country's instant-payment infrastructure.

The Bank of Tanzania says TIPS allows users of financial services to send and receive money instantly regardless of the financial institution they use. Bank of Tanzania — Payment Systems

The 2025 payment-system report says TIPS was enhanced to facilitate international transfers and improve the affordability of cross-border payments.

This matters because international remittances increasingly connect into instant domestic payment infrastructure.

Can You Send Money to a Tanzanian Bank Account?

Yes.

WorldRemit's Tanzania service supports bank transfers. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

Mama Money's Tanzania service also supports bank transfers and says bank deliveries can take about 5 hours on average, with some transactions taking up to 48 hours. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

The exact supported banks depend on the provider.

Can You Send Money to a Tanzanian Mobile Wallet?

Yes.

WorldRemit's Tanzania service supports mobile money. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

Mama Money supports Tanzania mobile-wallet routes, including Tigo Pesa, M-Pesa and Airtel. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

Can You Send Money for Cash Pickup?

Yes.

WorldRemit supports cash pickup in Tanzania. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

Mama Money also offers cash collection in Tanzania. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

Mukuru supports Tanzania as a destination through its South African service. Mukuru — Send Money

Cash pickup can be useful for recipients without a bank account or active mobile wallet.

What Details Does a Bank Transfer Need?

The exact requirements vary by provider.

A sender should expect to need the recipient's full name.

The bank name is also required.

The recipient's account number is essential.

Branch information can be requested.

The provider can also ask for the recipient's mobile number, address and the reason for sending.

The beneficiary should provide the details exactly as held by the bank.

What Details Does a Mobile-Wallet Transfer Need?

The recipient's full name should match the registered wallet.

The mobile number must be correct.

The wallet must be active and eligible to receive the international transfer.

WorldRemit says recipient information varies by receiving method and stresses the importance of accurate details. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

Can You Send Money From a South African Bank Account?

Yes, where the selected provider supports bank-account funding.

WorldRemit says bank-account transfer is one of the ways South African customers can pay for a transfer. WorldRemit — Sending from South Africa

Mama Money also accepts online banking and EFT. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

The South African bank funds the transaction.

The remittance provider handles the international payout.

Can You Pay With Cash?

Yes.

Mama Money supports cash payments at participating retail partners in South Africa.

Its current Tanzania page lists partners such as Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar, Makro and Game. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

Mukuru also provides cash-based payment channels. Mukuru — International Money Transfers

Can You Send Money Through an App?

Yes.

WorldRemit says customers can use its website or app to send money to Tanzania. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

Mama Money also provides app-based transfers.

Mukuru supports mobile ordering channels, including WhatsApp and USSD. Mukuru — International Money Transfers

What Are the Transfer Limits?

There is no single South Africa-to-Tanzania limit.

The provider determines its own sender limits.

The receiving bank or wallet can apply separate limits.

Mama Money currently lists R50,000 per order and R100,000 per month after the applicable account activation and upgrade process.

Mukuru's current account tiers range from R2,000 per month for Lite to R25,000 per month for Core, with Max allowing South African nationals to send up to R2 million per year under its published rules.

These are provider limits.

They are not a universal legal maximum for the corridor.

Why Do Providers Ask for Identification?

Cross-border transfers are regulated.

Providers need to verify customers.

WorldRemit says South African senders must provide identity information and may also need address verification before a transfer can be completed. WorldRemit — Sending from South Africa

Additional checks can be triggered by transaction size, customer information or compliance requirements.

Can a Transfer Be Delayed?

Yes.

Incorrect recipient details can cause delays.

Identity verification can also delay a transaction.

The receiving bank or wallet may need additional information.

Local operating hours can also affect bank transfers.

A transfer being delayed does not automatically mean it has failed.

Use the transaction reference when contacting the provider.

How Do You Choose the Best Provider?

Start with the recipient's preferred method.

Then compare the live price.

Check the exchange rate.

Check the transfer fee.

Check the final TZS amount.

Check the expected delivery time.

Check the provider's limit.

Check whether the provider is authorised to operate the relevant service.

This approach is more useful than simply searching for the provider advertising the lowest fee.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Send Money?

There is no permanent cheapest provider.

The cheapest option changes with the sending amount, payment method and exchange rate.

Mama Money advertises 5% or less for Tanzania transfers.

That is a provider-specific advertised fee.

It is not a corridor-wide average.

The final TZS payout remains the better comparison.

Why the Recipient's Final TZS Amount Matters

Suppose one provider charges a lower upfront fee.

Another provider charges more but gives a stronger ZAR-to-TZS exchange rate.

The second provider can still leave the recipient with more Tanzanian shillings.

That is why the final payout should be compared using the same sending amount.

For more on this pricing principle, see South Africa cross-border payments.

What Is the Role of Mobile Money in Tanzania?

Mobile money is central to Tanzania's digital-payment economy.

The Bank of Tanzania recorded 75,775,654 active mobile-money users in 2025.

It also recorded 1,982,162 agents.

Mobile payments reached 7,959.40 million transactions.

Transaction value reached TZS255,133.96 billion.

That creates a large domestic network for receiving and spending money sent from abroad.

Tanzania's International Remittances Are Using Digital Rails

The Bank of Tanzania says incoming remittances through electronic-money issuers reached 8.74 million transactions in 2025.

The corresponding value was TZS1,753.97 billion.

The volume increase was 153.36%.

The value increase was 64.73%.

That is a strong signal that digital wallets are becoming an increasingly important part of the remittance chain.

What About Business Payments?

A company in South Africa may need to pay a Tanzanian supplier.

A Tanzanian freelancer may receive a South African client payment.

A South African business may need to reimburse an employee in Tanzania.

A Tanzanian company may need to receive funds from its South African parent.

These are business payments rather than ordinary family remittances.

For larger or recurring commercial flows, a dedicated business-payment or bank route may be better than a retail remittance product.

For the wider infrastructure, see digital payment infrastructure in Africa.

Can You Send Money to Yourself?

That depends on the provider and South African rules.

WorldRemit currently says South African citizens and permanent residents cannot use its service to send to themselves or accounts in their own name. WorldRemit — Sending from South Africa

This is an important provider-specific restriction.

Do not assume every provider treats self-transfers the same way.

What If the Recipient Is in Zanzibar?

The recipient may still use a supported Tanzanian bank, wallet or cash network.

The provider's current payout availability should be checked because service coverage can vary by destination method.

Do not assume a provider that supports mainland Tanzania automatically supports every payout location through every method.

Can You Send Money to Tanzania From South Africa Without a Bank Account?

Yes, where the provider supports cash funding.

Mama Money explicitly supports cash payment through retail partners in South Africa. Mama Money — Send Money to Tanzania

Mukuru also provides cash-based payment channels. Mukuru — International Money Transfers

The recipient can still receive into a bank account or mobile wallet if that payout method is supported.

What Happens If the Sender Enters the Wrong Number?

Check the number before confirming.

A mobile-wallet transfer can be difficult to reverse after the money has been credited.

WorldRemit warns customers to ensure the recipient details are accurate because the receiving method affects the information required and the ability to amend the transaction. WorldRemit — Send Money to Tanzania

What Happens If the Bank Details Are Wrong?

The bank may reject the transfer.

The provider may also need to correct or recall the transaction.

That can take time.

Use the exact beneficiary details provided by the recipient.

Is Tanzania's Payment Infrastructure Reliable?

The Bank of Tanzania says the systemically important payment systems operated at an average availability rate of 99.58% in 2025.

This relates to the country's core payment systems.

It is not a guarantee that every international remittance will arrive instantly.

It shows that the underlying national infrastructure is designed for high availability.

How Is Tanzania Connecting With Regional Payment Systems?

The Bank of Tanzania says EAPS and SADC-RTGS remain part of the regional infrastructure.

It also says TIPS was enhanced to support international transfers and improve cross-border-payment affordability.

The Bank recorded 3,699 Tanzanian SADC-RTGS transactions worth ZAR1,200.13 million in 2025.

These systems operate at an institutional level.

Retail customers generally access them indirectly through banks and payment providers.

What Does Cross-Border Mobile Money Look Like in Tanzania?

Mobile-money operators facilitated cross-border payments across the EAC, SADC and the rest of the world.

Incoming cross-border mobile-payment volume reached 5.73 million transactions in 2025.

The value was TZS698.00 billion.

Volume grew by 32.76%.

Value grew by 33.45%.

This creates a stronger foundation for international mobile-wallet payouts.

South Africa to Tanzania: Key Statistics

• TZS2,290.32 billion — incoming bank-remittance value in 2025.

• 1.45 million — incoming bank-remittance transactions in 2025.

• TZS1,753.97 billion — incoming remittance value facilitated by electronic-money issuers in 2025.

• 8.74 million — incoming remittance transactions facilitated by electronic-money issuers in 2025.

• 5.73 million — incoming cross-border mobile-payment transactions in 2025.

• TZS698.00 billion — value of incoming cross-border mobile payments in 2025.

• 7,959.40 million — total mobile-payment transactions in 2025.

• TZS255,133.96 billion — total mobile-payment value in 2025.

• 75,775,654 — active mobile-money users in 2025.

• 1,982,162 — mobile-money agents in 2025.

• 2,789,455 — digital-payment merchants in 2025.

• 99.58% — average availability of Tanzania's systemically important payment systems in 2025.

• 3,699 — Tanzania's SADC-RTGS transaction count in 2025.

• ZAR1,200.13 million — value of Tanzania's SADC-RTGS transactions in 2025.

• 24.10% — annual mobile-payment volume growth in 2025.

• 28.30% — annual mobile-payment value growth in 2025.

• 153.36% — growth in incoming remittance volume facilitated by electronic-money issuers in 2025.

• 64.73% — growth in incoming remittance value facilitated by electronic-money issuers in 2025.

• R25,000 — Mama Money first-transaction limit for Tanzania.

• R50,000 — Mama Money standard maximum per Tanzania order.

• R100,000 — Mama Money upgraded monthly limit.

• R2,000 — Mukuru Lite monthly limit.

• R25,000 — Mukuru Core monthly limit.

• R2 million — Mukuru Max annual limit for South African nationals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send money from South Africa to Tanzania?

Yes. Supported remittance providers, banks and digital payment services offer South Africa-to-Tanzania routes.

What is the easiest way to send money to Tanzania?

For many everyday transfers, mobile money can be convenient. Bank of Tanzania data show that Tanzania's mobile-payment system processed 7,959.40 million transactions in 2025.

Can I send money directly to a Tanzanian bank account?

Yes. Providers such as WorldRemit and Mama Money support bank-account delivery to Tanzania.

Can I send money to mobile money?

Yes. Tanzania supports mobile-money payouts through providers such as WorldRemit and Mama Money.

Can the recipient collect cash?

Yes. Cash pickup is available through providers including WorldRemit and Mama Money.

How fast is a South Africa-to-Tanzania transfer?

Mama Money says mobile-wallet and cash transfers are sent within minutes, while bank transfers average about 5 hours and can take up to 48 hours. WorldRemit says 90% of Tanzania transfers reach its local partners within minutes.

How much does it cost?

There is no single corridor-wide price. Mama Money currently advertises 5% or less for Tanzania transfers, but the exchange rate also affects the final TZS amount.

What is the best way to compare providers?

Use the same ZAR amount and compare the fee, ZAR-to-TZS exchange rate, final TZS payout and delivery estimate.

Is there a sending limit?

Yes, but provider limits vary. Mama Money currently lists R50,000 per order and R100,000 per month after its applicable activation and upgrade process.

Can I pay with cash in South Africa?

Yes. Mama Money supports cash payment through participating retail partners, and Mukuru also offers cash payment channels.

The Bottom Line

Sending money from South Africa to Tanzania is already supported through several payment routes.

A sender can use a remittance provider for bank delivery, mobile money or cash pickup.

The latest Bank of Tanzania data show that incoming bank remittances reached TZS2,290.32 billion in 2025 across 1.45 million transactions.

Electronic-money issuers facilitated 8.74 million incoming remittance transactions worth TZS1,753.97 billion in the same year.

The wider mobile-payment system processed 7,959.40 million transactions worth TZS255,133.96 billion.

The direction is clear.

Tanzania is building a larger digital-payment ecosystem around both domestic and cross-border flows.

The best route for a South African sender depends on the recipient.

Use a bank account when the recipient wants funds in the formal banking system.

Use mobile money when convenience and everyday spending matter.

Use cash pickup when the recipient needs physical collection.

The pricing lesson remains the same.

Do not compare the fee alone.

Compare the exchange rate.

Compare the final TZS payout.

Compare the delivery time.

Check the provider's limit.

For the sending market, see cross-border payments in South Africa.

For the wider African infrastructure, see digital payment infrastructure in Africa.

The customer should not need to understand the settlement architecture behind the transaction.

The experience should be simple.

Pay in rand.

The provider handles the international leg.

The recipient receives Tanzanian shillings.