Dollar cost on $200
$13 of $200 sent
Based on 2025Q1 World Bank RPW data
0.1pp above global avg
Corridor
South Africa → Zimbabwe
Avg Cost
6.50%
Cheapest Provider
HelloPaisa
2.80%
Providers Tracked
8
As of 2025Q1
2025Q1 8 providers World Bank RPW
South Africa → Zimbabwe
Quarterly cost, cheapest provider, and SDG-target gap for the South Africa → Zimbabwe remittance corridor. World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide data.
International money transfer cost data · World Bank RPW · 2025Q1
Transfer Cost Overview
6.50%
Average cost
2.80%
Cheapest available
8
Providers tracked
$1.8B
Annual volume
Cost methodology: Percent of $200 transfer amount. Includes service fee + exchange rate margin. Lower % = cheaper for sender.
Cheapest Service
HelloPaisa
2.80%
Lowest cost for South Africa → Zimbabwe based on World Bank RPW data
Always compare rates directly with providers before sending.
This corridor charges 6.5% on average vs the UN 2030 target of 3.0% and the global average of 6.4%.
Avg Fee on $200
$13
SDG Gap
+3.5%
Annual Savings vs Avg
+$0/mo*
SDG 10.c compliance
FAIL
3.5pp above the 3% target
Annual corridor volume
$1.8B
Estimated annual flows South Africa → Zimbabwe
SDG 10.c progress (target: 3%) 70.8%
Cheapest
6.50% average — 3.5pp above target
Cost Context
6.50%
This corridor
6.4%
Global average
3.0%
UN SDG target
This corridor is 0.1 percentage points more expensive than the global average. The UN SDG 10.c 2030 target is 3% or below.
Cost Trend
| Quarter | Avg Cost | Cheapest |
|---|---|---|
| 2025Q1 | 11.91% | 4.97% |
| 2024Q4 | 12.20% | 5.15% |
| 2024Q3 | 13.18% | 5.23% |
| 2024Q2 | 13.28% | 4.76% |
| 2024Q1 | 12.69% | 4.69% |
| 2023Q4 | 12.76% | 3.50% |
| 2023Q3 | 12.89% | 5.06% |
| 2023Q2 | 13.50% | 3.76% |
| 2023Q1 | 13.09% | 0.03% |
| 2022Q4 | 12.24% | 0.58% |
| 2022Q3 | 15.62% | 4.27% |
| 2022Q2 | 14.95% | 3.44% |
| 2022Q1 | 13.46% | 3.77% |
| 2021Q4 | 12.99% | 3.66% |
| 2021Q3 | 12.40% | 3.72% |
| 2021Q2 | 13.44% | 3.09% |
| 2021Q1 | 14.10% | 2.99% |
| 2020Q4 | 13.67% | 0.00% |
| 2020Q3 | 14.27% | 2.39% |
| 2020Q2 | 14.13% | 3.53% |
| 2020Q1 | 14.70% | 3.21% |
| 2019Q4 | 15.13% | 3.59% |
| 2019Q3 | 13.79% | 0.22% |
| 2019Q2 | 14.19% | 5.15% |
| 2019Q1 | 12.22% | 0.84% |
| 2018Q4 | 13.38% | 2.97% |
| 2018Q3 | 13.88% | 3.28% |
| 2018Q2 | 13.83% | 4.19% |
| 2018Q1 | 14.62% | 3.17% |
| 2017Q4 | 13.20% | 4.02% |
| 2017Q3 | 13.32% | 3.47% |
| 2017Q2 | 14.22% | 2.95% |
| 2017Q1 | 15.27% | 5.95% |
| 2016Q4 | 14.31% | 5.98% |
| 2016Q3 | 13.23% | 5.03% |
| 2016Q2 | 12.72% | 2.04% |
| 2016Q1 | 13.47% | 4.94% |
| 2015Q4 | 13.62% | 5.14% |
| 2015Q3 | 13.61% | 6.11% |
| 2015Q2 | 13.33% | 5.56% |
| 2015Q1 | 16.10% | 4.96% |
| 2014Q4 | 17.08% | 3.15% |
| 2014Q3 | 16.55% | 3.15% |
| 2014Q2 | 16.91% | 3.15% |
| 2014Q1 | 17.49% | 3.15% |
| 2013Q4 | 16.29% | 2.99% |
| 2013Q3 | 16.63% | 2.99% |
| 2013Q2 | 16.52% | 2.99% |
| 2013Q1 | 17.20% | 2.99% |
| 2012Q3 | 19.05% | 6.97% |
| 2012Q1 | 15.62% | 4.58% |
| 2011Q3 | 17.03% | 4.58% |
| 2011Q1 | 18.14% | 9.89% |
Sending Country
South Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa
3.75%
Avg outbound cost
$1.0B
Total remittances sent
Receiving Country
Zimbabwe
Sub-Saharan Africa
$3.5B
Total remittances received
Nearby Corridors from South Africa
Other tracked routes from the same sending country — useful for comparing the South Africa → Zimbabwe corridor against peers on the same outbound market.
| To | Avg Cost |
|---|---|
| Mozambique | 6.80% |
| Lesotho | 4.20% |
| Zambia | 7.00% |
| Botswana | 3.75% |
| China | 3.75% |
Remittance Guides
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Data source: Source: World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) Database, quarterly release. Costs represent percentage of a $200 transfer amount.
Methodology reference: Source: UN Sustainable Development Goal 10.c target — reduce remittance transaction costs to below 3% by 2030. Always verify current rates directly with service providers before sending money. Rates change frequently.
What the South Africa → Zimbabwe Data Tells Us
Sending money from South Africa to Zimbabwe currently costs an average of 6.50% of the transfer amount, according to World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) data as of 2025Q1. That is 0.1 percentage points above the 6.4% global average, flagging this corridor as more expensive than typical international routes.
On the cheapest end of the market, HelloPaisa delivers this corridor at 2.80% — the floor price a South Africa-based sender can realistically access today. The full panel includes 8 tracked providers, which means price dispersion between the cheapest and the average is meaningful: a sender who defaults to their bank or walk-in agent can easily pay several percentage points more than a sender who shops around using a digital-first fintech.
This corridor moves roughly $1.8B in remittances each year, so even a one-percentage-point reduction in cost would return tens of millions of dollars annually to families in Zimbabwe. The underlying price is a product of three forces: competition between providers in the South Africa market, the cost of foreign-exchange liquidity into Zimbabwe, and the payout infrastructure — cash agents tend to carry higher fees than mobile wallets or direct bank deposits. Historical RPW quarters show that corridors with more digital competition have fallen fastest toward the 3% SDG target, which is why comparing the cheapest line against the average is the most practical action a sender can take.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to send money from South Africa to Zimbabwe?
The average cost to send money from South Africa to Zimbabwe is 6.50% of the transfer amount, based on World Bank RPW data as of 2025Q1. The cheapest available option is 2.80% via HelloPaisa. Costs are calculated as a percentage of a $200 transfer and include both service fees and exchange rate margins.
What is the cheapest way to send money from South Africa to Zimbabwe?
Based on World Bank RPW data, the cheapest service for the South Africa to Zimbabwe corridor charges 2.80% — currently HelloPaisa. A total of 8 providers are tracked on this corridor. Always compare rates directly with providers before sending, as prices change frequently.
How long does an international money transfer take?
Transfer times vary by provider and corridor. Digital fintech providers typically deliver within minutes to 1–2 business days, while traditional bank wires may take 3–5 business days. The South Africa to Zimbabwe corridor is tracked by the World Bank for cost transparency, but delivery times depend on the specific service chosen. Check the provider's website for current timing estimates.
Why are remittance fees so high?
Remittance fees reflect the cost of currency conversion, compliance screening, payment processing, and agent network infrastructure. The global average transfer cost is around 6.4%, while the UN SDG 10.c target is 3% or below by 2030. The South Africa to Zimbabwe corridor currently averages 6.50%, which is above the global average. Digital providers and fintech services typically offer significantly lower fees than traditional bank transfers.
What is the UN SDG target for remittance costs?
UN Sustainable Development Goal 10.c targets reducing remittance transaction costs to less than 3% by 2030 and eliminating corridors that charge more than 5%. The global average remains around 6.4%. The South Africa to Zimbabwe corridor currently averages 6.50%, which remains above the 3% target. Progress varies widely by corridor — digital-first routes tend to be cheapest.
How are remittance costs calculated on PlainRemit?
PlainRemit uses World Bank Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) data, which standardizes costs as a percentage of a $200 transfer amount. The cost includes two components: (1) the service fee charged by the provider and (2) the exchange rate margin — the difference between the provider's exchange rate and the interbank mid-rate. This methodology allows fair comparison across providers and corridors. Data is collected quarterly from mystery shopping exercises.
Source: World Bank, Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) Database (2011-2024) World Bank, Remittance Prices Worldwide (RPW) Database (2011-2024)
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.