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Sending money from Ethiopia to Airtel Money in Kenya can be a bit challenging due to restrictions on financial services between the two countries.
However, there are a few available options for international transfers from Ethiopia to Airtel Money in Kenya:
1. Western Union
Western Union is a global money transfer service that operates in Ethiopia and Kenya. You can send money from Ethiopia to a recipient in Kenya, and they can receive the money in their Airtel Money account through Western Union’s integration with mobile money services.
How to Send:
- Visit a Western Union agent in Ethiopia.
- Provide the recipient’s details, including their Airtel phone number.
- The recipient in Kenya can receive the money into their Airtel Money account or collect it at a Western Union location.
Pros:
- Widely available in both countries.
- Reliable and secure.
Cons:
- Transfer fees may be higher compared to other services.
2. MoneyGram
MoneyGram is another popular option for sending money internationally, and it allows transfers to mobile wallets in Kenya, including Airtel Money. You can send money from Ethiopia, and your recipient can receive it on their Airtel Money account.
How to Send:
- Visit a MoneyGram agent in Ethiopia.
- Fill out the transfer details and provide the recipient’s Airtel phone number.
- The money will be transferred directly to their Airtel Money wallet in Kenya.
Pros:
- Fast and secure service.
- Well-established global network.
Cons:
- Service fees can be relatively high.
3. WorldRemit
WorldRemit is an international digital money transfer service that allows you to send money from Ethiopia to mobile money accounts, including Airtel Money in Kenya. Although Ethiopia has restrictions on online money transfer services, if you are traveling or have access to a country where WorldRemit works, you can use this service.
How to Send:
- Create an account on WorldRemit (if available in the country you are sending from).
- Select Kenya as the destination and choose Airtel Money as the delivery method.
- Provide the recipient’s Airtel number.
- Complete the transaction using a payment method like a credit/debit card or bank transfer.
Pros:
- Transfers are quick and can be done online.
- Low transaction fees compared to traditional transfer services.
Cons:
- Not directly available within Ethiopia due to restrictions, but works if you can access it from abroad.
4. Bank Transfer to Kenya
Some banks in Ethiopia might allow international bank transfers to Kenya banks, where the recipient can then withdraw the money into their Airtel Money account. Ethiopian banks with international banking capabilities (like Commercial Bank of Ethiopia) can facilitate this service.
How to Send:
- Visit your bank in Ethiopia and request an international transfer to a Kenyan bank account.
- Once the money is in the Kenyan bank account, the recipient can transfer it to their Airtel Money.
Pros:
- Safe and reliable.
Cons:
- Slower than mobile transfer services.
- Requires the recipient to have a bank account.
5. Regional Money Transfer Services
Some regional services between Ethiopia and Kenya might provide direct transfers. For example, Safaricom’s M-Pesa, integrated with Airtel Money, may offer transfers through specific partnerships. Checking local remittance services that operate between these countries can also help.
6. Remittance Companies in Ethiopia
Local remittance companies in Ethiopia often have partnerships with mobile money services in Kenya, including Airtel Money. These companies allow you to send cash through physical locations, which the recipient can then transfer to their Airtel Money account.
How to Send:
- Visit the local remittance company’s office.
- Provide the recipient’s Airtel number in Kenya.
- The recipient will receive the funds via Airtel Money.
Conclusion
The most reliable ways to send money from Ethiopia to Airtel Money in Kenya include using international money transfer services like Western Union, MoneyGram, or local remittance services. While options like WorldRemit may not be available within Ethiopia, they are useful if you have access to them from abroad.
