DTB, TerraPay ease money transfer
DTB CEO Varghese Thambi (L) and TerraPay Country Manager Samuel Muyingo at the signing of the partnership. COURTESY PHOTO/ BUSINESS EDGE
TerraPay, a top European money transfer company, and Diamond Trust Bank Uganda (DTB), have announced a strategic partnership to expand international money transfers and strengthen financial inclusion in Uganda.
Speaking at the launch in Kampala, officials said that the key attributes of this partnership include the ability to facilitate direct deposits on bank accounts from any part of the world and leverage DTB's renowned brand name to optimize advantages for customers in the Middle East, the UK, North America, Kenya, as well as Europe, thus granting them the capability to execute real-time money transfers to their loved ones in Uganda.
Commenting on the collaboration, Varghese Thambi, the DTB Managing Director, said, "We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible banking experience. This partnership with TerraPay will allow us to offer our customers faster, more convenient, and more secure money transfers, with lower fees.”
- He added; “TerraPay's agile technology will allow us to reach a wider network of customers, making it easier for them to send and receive money across borders. We are certain that this partnership will have a positive impact on the lives of many people in Uganda."
Willie Kanyeki, TerraPay's Vice President, East and South Africa, expressed confidence that the partnership would be a great success and would help promote financial inclusion in the region, by simplifying global money movement for both individuals and businesses, making it easier than ever to connect with loved ones and also, empower global commerce.
Remittances from people in the Diaspora contribute significantly to the development of Africa in general and Uganda in particular. The money sent back home is oftentimes the difference between survival and destitution.
- According to Bank of Uganda’s 2022 Inward Personal Transfers Report, about 65% of personal transfers was used to pay for expenses like general household purchases and payment of school fees, while about 34% went towards construction and land purchases.
The same report showed that about 5% of remittances came from the Middle East, about 21% came from inside Africa,15% came from Europe and another 15% came from North America.
This money is sent through digital channels through bank transfers, e-Wallets and mobile payments, according to the report.
Official statistics from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development indicate that Uganda’s remittances market is expected to top USD1.3 billion by 2027.
However, the high cost of cross-border payments remains a continental and global challenge. Target 10c of the Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) focuses on reducing the cost of remittances to 3%. Today, the average global cost of sending remittances stands at 6.2% - double the target amount.
- Mr. Samuel Muyingo, the Terrapay Country Manager for East and Southern Africa, said TerraPay's cost to send money is no more than $1.8 per transaction.
- Violet Wanyana, the Head of Money Transfers at DTB, assured customers that they had done sufficient due diligence on Terrapay to ensure that their systems are safe and secure for their customers.