People in eight West African countries can now send small domestic mobile money transfers to customers of other providers without paying a transfer fee. The rules, which took effect on 2 November, apply to eligible person-to-person payments of up to 8,000 CFA francs a day. The Central Bank of West African States says the change is intended to make digital payments more accessible.
How the free transfers work
The allowance applies to the total sent each day by each customer through a participating provider. A customer can make several transfers without paying a fee as long as their combined value stays within the threshold. Larger transfers may incur a charge of up to 0.8% of the amount sent, before tax. Receiving money is free regardless of the transfer amount.
The reform covers Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. Qualifying transfers between providers must go through the central bank’s instant payments platform, known as PI-SPI. The system connects participating banks, mobile money operators, payment firms and microfinance institutions.
A lower cost for everyday payments
For someone sending small amounts to relatives, a free transfer to another provider removes one reason to keep several wallets or rely on cash. A recipient can use an account they already hold if their provider is connected. In Côte d’Ivoire, the rules cover transfers between services such as Orange Money, MTN, Moov and Wave, as well as transfers between wallets and participating banks.
The central bank estimates that the 8,000 CFA franc threshold covers around three-quarters of electronic money transactions in the union. How widely people use the service will depend in part on which providers are connected and how clearly they show customers any charges before a transfer.
Cross-border pricing follows next year
The same pricing rules are due to extend to transfers between member countries from 1 June 2027. That would give people sending small sums across borders the same fee terms as those making domestic transfers within the union.
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 10 November 2026
People in eight West African countries can now send small domestic mobile money transfers to customers of other providers without paying a transfer fee. The rules, which took effect on 2 November, apply to eligible person-to-person payments of up to 8,000 CFA francs a day. The Central Bank of West African States says the change is intended to make digital payments more accessible.
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