Thunes and Ecobank to power instant cross-border payments in Africa

A major new partnership between Thunes and Ecobank Group aims to accelerate financial inclusion and unlock instant cross-border payments for millions of Africans.

Instant cross-border payments in Africa

The collaboration operationalises a landmark 2024 memorandum of understanding between Ecobank and TransferTo, Thunes’ parent company, designed to reshape the landscape of financial access and interoperability across Africa.

This latest announcement marks the move from vision to execution—bringing large-scale, real-time payment connectivity to individuals and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Digital Financial Connectivity

Under the partnership, Thunes’ Direct Global Network—which connects over 130 countries and 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide—will be integrated into Ecobank’s infrastructure.

The rollout will occur progressively across Ecobank’s 32-country footprint, enabling faster settlements, simpler liquidity management, and wider reach in compliance with local regulations.

By merging Ecobank’s deep local presence with Thunes’ global reach, the alliance seeks to create a seamless bridge between African markets and the wider global payments ecosystem.

The initiative promises to make sending, receiving, and managing money across borders as simple and instant as domestic payments.

This advancement could help entrepreneurs trade regionally, families support relatives abroad, and small businesses expand internationally.

A bold vision for inclusion and growth

Peter De Caluwe, Co-Founder and CEO of Thunes, said the partnership represents a “major development in how we power payments across Africa.”

He added: “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.

This is a live, large-scale solution transforming how money moves across the continent.”

“Our collaboration with Thunes aligns perfectly with Ecobank’s mission to provide borderless banking and drive financial inclusion,” continued Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group.

“By combining our robust banking infrastructure with Thunes’ fintech innovation, we’re expanding real-time financial access for millions and advancing Africa’s digital economy.”

From pilot to pan-African deployment

The first operational market under the partnership is Togo, where Ecobank customers are now able to receive instant payments from global remittance providers.

This initial launch demonstrates the network’s readiness for full-scale deployment and paves the way for expansion across the continent.

With Africa’s cross-border payments market poised for exponential growth, the Thunes–Ecobank collaboration positions both firms at the forefront of a new financial era—one defined by interoperability, speed, and inclusive digital access for the next billion users.