Thunes and Ecobank Signing Ceremony
Thunes and Ecobank Group have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at revolutionizing instant cross-border payments for millions across Sub-Saharan Africa. The partnership, unveiled on October 29, 2025, builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2024 between Ecobank and TransferTo, Thunes’ parent company, which sought to enhance financial access and cross-border payment solutions across the continent.
This initiative will lead to a comprehensive integration of banking and fintech systems, facilitating seamless money transfers for individuals and businesses. The collaboration promises to improve faster settlements, simplify liquidity access, and extend financial reach, thereby unlocking new growth opportunities within the digital economy.
Expanding Financial Access Across the Region
The partnership aims to roll out its services across Ecobank’s operational footprint, which spans 32 countries in Africa, while adhering to local regulations in each market. This phased approach will progressively connect Ecobank customers to Thunes’ Direct Global Network, which operates in over 130 countries and links to around 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts globally.
By leveraging Ecobank’s extensive local presence and Thunes’ established network, the alliance intends to empower entrepreneurs to engage in cross-border trade and enable families to make instant remittances, thereby fostering a more dynamic digital economy in Africa.
Togo Launch Marks First Step
The first market to implement this pan-African collaboration is Togo, where Ecobank customers can now enjoy instant payments from global remittance providers. This initial launch demonstrates the partnership’s operational readiness as it gears up for systematic expansion throughout the continent.
“This collaboration marks a major development in how we power payments across Africa,” said Peter De Caluwe, Co-Founder and CEO of Thunes. “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.”
Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, emphasized the alignment of this partnership with Ecobank’s mission to promote borderless banking and enhance financial inclusion across Africa. He stated, “By combining our robust banking infrastructure with Thunes’ fintech innovation and trusted Direct Global Network, we’re expanding real-time financial access for millions and driving the growth of Africa’s digital economy.”
The collaboration between Thunes and Ecobank signifies a significant step towards enabling broader financial connectivity across Sub-Saharan Africa, as they work together to facilitate easier and more efficient money management for both individuals and businesses.
