Did you know that nearly 3,000 Zambians want to send and receive money between Australia and Zambia?
Zambia is one of a few countries that can consistently boast above 6% Real GDP growth in Africa, compared to the worldwide average of 3%. Copper is one of its main exports and Australia especially imports specialised machinery parts and electrical equipment from Zambia.
Services from Zambia have reached AUD$11m in the past, with Australia exporting AUD$26m to Zambia. The two economies have close relationships when it comes to trading merchandise. Zambia’s relationship with Australia is in the top 12 most important for merchandise imports and exports.
There are about 3,000 Zambians living in Australia and continuous reports on President Lungu, president of Zambia, that values the relationship between Australia and Zambia. He wishes to further establish and grow investment relations with Australia and sees the past economic relationship as a good foundation for going forward.
General money transfer companies vs. immediate money transfer services
Jenny is a businesswoman from Zambia and has recently taken up residence in Australia to make sure her father’s copper export company continuous to experience smooth sailing in Australia. She is part of about 3,000 Zambians living in Australia and has heard that many of them are businessmen and women sending money to their families in Zambia.
Since her father has a successful copper exporting company, she won’t need to send money to Zambia to support her family, but she still needs to pay off her student debt. She decides that while she is earning Australian dollars, it will be better for her financial future to tackle the debt and send money over whilst she is positioned in Australia.
She takes the time to speak to fellow Zambians and does some research before coming to the following conclusions using a benchmark of 1,000 AUD. Although there are bank options through which to send money, only money transfer companies have made it possible to calculate exchange rates for Jenny to send money to Zambia.
| Money transfer company A | Money transfer company B | |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate | 1 AUD = 8.146 ZMW | 1 AUD = 7.782537 ZMW |
| Transfer fee | Flat fee of 10 AUD if amount is under 10,000 AUD | 25 AUD |
| Amount of ZMW received in Zambia for 1,000 AUD | 8,145.44 ZMW | 7,782.54 ZMW |
| Transfer time | 1-4 Days | Minutes |
| Transfer options | App, Online, Phone | Online, Agent |
| Difference in ZMW |
|
What criteria did Jenny use to compare transfer companies when send and receiving money between Zambia and Australia?
- Exchange Rates. Jenny found that exchange rates were relatively consistent but that she could get the best rate using a money transfer company that got its rates through the bank. The drawback to this was usually the time delays in sending money.
- Pickup Methods. Zambia offers a robust financial infrastructure and allows someone to receive money in their bank account, as well as cash at an agent or branch location.
- Fees. Fees are much higher if Jenny wants to send her money with a quick delivery and low amounts, but are generally standard and not above 30 AUD.
- Bank to Bank Benefits. There is no clear bank to bank benefit that Jenny could find through her research, but she has noticed that Citibank has branches in Zambia and that she can send money using Commonwealth Bank.
- Turnaround Time. The turnaround time can range from minutes to five days in sending money to Zambia.
- Transfer Methods. There are a couple of options through the services she has found including branch, bank accounts, online, phone and agent.
- Transfer Options. Because Jenny wants to pay off debt, she will most probably have to look at a recurring payment solution. She also sees the value of a currency option so she can fix her rates when they are low.
- Minimum and Maximum Transfer Amounts. Although some companies specify these and a minimum can be as high as 5,000 AUD, Jenny notices that the lower the transfer amount, the higher the fees can be.
- Customer Service. Moneygram and Western Union have been around for years and offer vast support structures worldwide, whilst Xpress Money is newer with support features like live chat. Citibank also has a huge reach with customer support ranging across global boundaries.
How will Jenny send money to Zambia from Australia?
- Money transfer services - Moneygram, Western Union, Xpress Money and World First Foreign Exchange are available to send money to Zambia.
- Banks - Citibank has branches in Zambia, but requires a visit to the branch to send and receive money. Commonwealth Bank allows you to send money to Zambia and receive it. It can also be used to send money to someone with a supported bank account in Zambia.
How will Jenny receive in Australia from her father in Zambia?
- Moneygram, Western Union and Xpress Money - these companies allow you to send money from Zambia to Australia with a cash pickup.
- Banks - one option is to open a bank account with Commonwealth Bank and receive the money in this bank account from a supporting bank in Zambia.
Emergency cash transfers to Zambia
For in case something happens to her father’s business, her father has placed money in Australia as a backup. This is so that Jenny has a backup for a personal emergency and when the need arises that will require her to send her father emergency cash. Because of this, she has made notes on sending money to agent locations in Zambia where her father can pick up the cash within minutes. The locations for Moneygram, Western Union and Xpress Money can be seen below.
Cash pickup locations in Zambia when using Moneygram, Western Union or Xpress Money
Moneygram
Lusaka
- Stanbic Bank Zambia
58 4803 Commonwealth Ave Stand
Lusaka, 0
2601240090
Open Monday to Friday, from 8:15am to 3:30pm, Saturday from 8:15am to 12pm, Sunday from 12am to 12pm - Zampost - Woodlands
Woodlands Shopping Centre, Lusaka
211263199
Open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to 2pm, Sunday from 12am to 12pm
Kitwe
- Investrust Bank - Kitwe Branch
512 Blantyre road, Kitwe, 0
2229761
Open Monday to Friday, from 8:15am to 4pm, Saturday from 8:15am to 12:30pm, Sunday from 12am to 12pm
Western Union
Lusaka
- Access Bank Zambia Limited
Plot 682, Cairo Road, North End, P.O. Box 35273
Lusaka, 10101
+260-211-227941
Open Monday to Friday, from 8:15am to 4pm, Saturday from 8:15am to 12pm, Sunday from 8:15am to 4pm - Chibombo Ecobank Branch
Ecobank Zambia, P.O. Box 30705
Lusaka, Lusaka
+260-211-250056
Open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4pm, Saturday from 8am to 12pm, Closed on Sunday
Kitwe
- Access Bank Kitwe
Plot 493/494, Union House, P.O. Box 20033
Kitwe, Copperbelt
+260-212-228673
Open Monday to Friday, from 8:15am to 4pm, Saturday from 9am to 4pm, Closed on Sunday
Xpress Money
Lusaka
- UAE Exchange Zambia Money Transfer Service Limited - Makeni Mall Br
Shop Number 45, Makeni Mall, Kafue Road, Lusaka, Zambia
+260-211274100
Open Monday to Saturday, from 8:30am to 6:30pm, Sunday from 9am to 1pm
Tips for picking up cash in Zambia
A country that boasts a lot of public activity like Zambia means that there is danger in openly trading money in public so keep it private as far as possible. Keep your money transfer operations confined to the day as the evenings bring forth a lot more crime.
What are the steps to send money to Zambia using various services?
What will you need when picking up cash at an agent location in Zambia?
- A Government issued ID.
- The tracking or reference number (MTCN).
When sending money through an agent in Australia or Zambia
- Visit the agent you have identified with a form of photo ID (can be passport, driver’s license, national ID, government-issued ID).
- You will need to fill in an application form along with the specified amount you want to send and all necessary fees.
- It is then your responsibility to contact the receiver of the money and provide them with the tracking or reference number.
- Some branches may require a proof of address.
When sending cash pickup using an online profile
- You will need to create a free online profile.
- Choose the country (Zambia), amount (AUD/ZMW) you want to send and the delivery method (cash).
- Enter the receiver’s name.
- Pay using a debit or credit card.
- You will receive a confirmation email with the tracking number (MTCN) that you can share with your receiver for the cash pickup.
If you are sending the money to an account overseas
- Bank code, full name and address of the bank that you're transferring to
- Recipient's name, address and account name
- Account number or International Bank Account Number (IBAN)
- Amount and currency you are sending
If you are, for example, a Commonwealth Bank client receiving money from Zambia
- Bank name: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- BIC/SWIFT Code: CTBAAU2S
- BSB number (log on to NetBank to view it, or call 13 2221 at any time or visit any branch)
- Account number (log on to NetBank to view it, or call 13 2221 at any time or visit any branch)
- IBANs are not used in Australia. However, payers in certain countries may require you to provide one. In that case, your BSB and account number should be combined. Do not include any spaces or hyphens. For example: 062 000, 11111111 (BSB and account no.)
