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Send Money to Nigeria from Canada: Best Apps Compared

Guide checked 10 November 2026 Ranked by amount received Indicative rates 8 providers compared
Best for everyday transfers
LemFi or Africhange: built for the Canada to Nigeria route, with no upfront fee on most transfers
Best for large transfers
Wise: mid-market rate with a visible fee for larger amounts
Fastest
LemFi: naira usually credited within minutes when paid by debit
Lowest fees
LemFi, Africhange, Sendwave: no upfront fee on most transfers

Compare rates to send money from Canada to Nigeria

C$
These are indicative rates based on the mid-market rate, not live quotes from each provider. Always check the final rate in the provider's app before you send.
Provider Exchange rate Fee Recipient gets Action
#1

LemFi

Under 10 mins · Zero Upfront Fees
₦967.38
0.7% below mid-market
No fee
₦483,690
Most received 		Send
#2

Africhange

Under 10 mins · Canada & Outbound Leader
₦965.72
0.8% below mid-market
No fee
₦482,860
 Send
#3

Sendwave

Under 10 mins · Zero Fee Pioneer
₦961.63
1.3% below mid-market
No fee
₦480,815
 Send
#4

Xoom (PayPal)

Under 10 mins · Pay with PayPal
₦949.91
2.5% below mid-market
No fee
₦474,955
 Send
#5

Instarem

Under 10 mins · Zero fee, bank-funded
₦947.03
2.8% below mid-market
No fee
₦473,515
 Send
#6

WorldRemit

Under 10 mins · Bank, Cash & Wallet
₦949.26
2.5% below mid-market
C$2.99
₦471,792
 Send
#7

Remitly

Under 10 mins · High Promo Rate
₦945.07
3.0% below mid-market
C$1.99
₦470,654
 Send
#8

Western Union

Under 10 mins · Biggest cash pickup network
₦930.56
4.5% below mid-market
C$1.99
₦463,428
 Send

Ranked by the amount your recipient receives after the transfer fee, exchange-rate margin and any deposit or withdrawal fees. How we compare

Canada's Nigerian community has grown quickly, and several apps now specialise in sending money from Canada to Nigeria. The best app depends mostly on the exchange rate on the day, since the leading options charge little or no upfront fee.

How to send money from Canada to Nigeria: step by step

  1. Compare the naira received for your amount in our calculator.
  2. Open an account. You will need a Canadian address and a government photo ID (driver's licence, PR card or passport).
  3. Add your recipient: full name as on the bank account, bank name and 10-digit account number.
  4. Pay by Interac e-Transfer, debit card or bank transfer, depending on what the app supports.
  5. Track the transfer and keep the reference number.

Naira-only payouts

Under Central Bank of Nigeria rules for money transfer operators (January 2024, tightened from 1 May 2026), payouts in Nigeria are in naira. Apps cannot pay into a Nigerian domiciliary account in dollars, and cash pickup is limited to small amounts.

Best apps to send money from Canada to Nigeria

LemFi

Zero Upfront Fees Under 5 mins

LemFi is currently the leading consumer remittance app for transfers under $1,500 from the US, UK, and Canada to Nigeria. It offers $0 upfront fees on debit cards, instant delivery to OPay and commercial banks, and competitive exchange rates.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦483,690, fee none, rate margin 0.7%.

Good forUse LemFi when sending between $50 and $1,500 using a debit card where immediate delivery to an OPay, PalmPay, or Nigerian commercial bank account is required.
Look elsewhere ifAvoid LemFi for corporate business payments requiring formal invoices, large wires over $10,000 without prior Tier 3 verification, or if the recipient needs cash pickup (LemFi pays into bank and wallet accounts only).
Bank accountOPay / PalmPay Pay: Debit cardPay: Bank transferPay: Apple Pay

Africhange

Canada & Outbound Leader 10–20 mins

Africhange is a Canadian money transfer company focused on sending from Canada to Nigeria and other African countries. It is registered with FINTRAC as a money services business and is a strong option on the Canada to Nigeria route.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦482,860, fee none, rate margin 0.8%.

Good forUse Africhange when you are sending from Canada and want a Canada-focused service with competitive CAD to naira rates.
Look elsewhere ifNot useful if you send from outside North America, or if your recipient needs cash pickup.
Bank account Pay: InteracPay: Debit cardPay: Bank transfer

Sendwave

Zero Fee Pioneer Under 10 mins

Sendwave is a zero-fee money transfer app owned by Zepz, the group behind WorldRemit. It pays naira into Nigerian bank accounts within minutes and its rates are consistently competitive, with a better rate for new customers and for larger amounts on some routes.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦480,815, fee none, rate margin 1.3%.

Good forUse Sendwave for simple, fee-free transfers to Nigerian bank accounts from the US, UK, Canada and Europe, paid by debit card.
Look elsewhere ifNot for cash pickup or very large transfers, and compare first if you send regularly from the US, where Taptap Send was ahead on 8 November 2026.
Bank account Pay: Debit card

Wise

Mid-Market Rate 10–20 mins

Wise (formerly TransferWise) converts at the mid-market exchange rate and charges a visible fee instead of hiding a margin in the rate. That makes it one of the cheapest ways to send larger amounts to a Nigerian bank account, and the clearest on cost.

Good forUse Wise for larger transfers (roughly $1,000 and up), for paying Nigerian contractors or suppliers, or whenever you want to see exactly what you pay.
Look elsewhere ifAvoid Wise for small everyday transfers, where its fixed fee eats into the naira, and when your recipient needs cash pickup or a direct OPay or PalmPay credit.
Bank account Pay: Debit cardPay: Bank transferPay: ACHPay: Apple Pay

Remitly

High Promo Rate 1–5 mins (Express)

Remitly is a large, US-listed money transfer company that sends to Nigerian bank accounts, mobile wallets and cash pickup points. Its new-customer rate is often the best on the market for a first transfer, and its standard rate has become very competitive on some routes.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦470,654, fee C$1.99, rate margin 3.0%.

Good forUse Remitly for your first transfer to take the new-customer rate, when your recipient needs a small cash pickup, or on routes where its standard rate is near the top of our table.
Look elsewhere ifDon't assume the first-transfer rate will last: compare again for later transfers. Avoid the slower bank-funded option when the money is needed today.
Bank accountCash pickup Pay: Debit cardPay: Credit cardPay: Bank transfer

WorldRemit

Bank, Cash & Wallet Under 10 mins

WorldRemit is a long-established remittance company, part of the Zepz group alongside Sendwave. It sends naira to Nigerian bank accounts, mobile wallets and cash pickup points, and is a dependable option when your recipient needs cash.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦471,792, fee C$2.99, rate margin 2.5%.

Good forUse WorldRemit when your recipient needs a small naira cash pickup, or when you are sending from a country the app-first services do not cover.
Look elsewhere ifFor routine bank transfers, compare first: its rate margin is often wider than the zero-fee apps, and transfer fees can apply.
Bank accountCash pickup Pay: Debit cardPay: Credit cardPay: Apple PayPay: Bank transfer

Western Union

Biggest cash pickup network Minutes (cash) to same banking day

Western Union is the oldest and most widely recognised money transfer brand in Nigeria, with thousands of cash pickup points inside bank branches and the option to pay in person. It wins on reach and flexibility, not on price: for a plain bank transfer, app-first services usually deliver more naira.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦463,428, fee C$1.99, rate margin 4.5%.

Good forUse Western Union when your recipient needs to collect cash (up to about USD 200 equivalent), when you want to pay in cash or get help at an agent, or when you are sending from a country the newer apps do not cover.
Look elsewhere ifAvoid it for routine bank deposits where every naira counts: compare the amount received against LemFi, Taptap Send or Wise first. Avoid paying by credit card, which most card issuers treat as a cash advance.
Bank accountCash pickup Pay: Debit cardPay: Credit cardPay: Bank transfer

Xoom (PayPal)

Pay with PayPal Minutes for cash pickup

Xoom is PayPal's international money transfer service. You log in with your PayPal account, pay from your PayPal balance, bank or card, and Xoom pays naira into almost any Nigerian bank account or for cash pickup. It is convenient for PayPal users but rarely the cheapest option.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦474,955, fee none, rate margin 2.5%.

Good forUse Xoom when your money is already in PayPal, or when you want to send without opening a new account. It also suits small cash pickups at bank branches.
Look elsewhere ifAvoid it when the exchange rate matters most: specialist apps usually deliver more naira on a bank transfer. Avoid credit card funding, which can add cash advance fees.
Bank accountCash pickup Pay: Debit cardPay: Credit cardPay: Bank transfer

MoneyGram

Cash pickup at bank branches Minutes (cash), bank hours (deposit)

MoneyGram is a global money transfer network that pays out in Nigeria through partner banks, both as cash pickup over the counter and as deposits into most Nigerian bank accounts. It is dependable for cash and bank-branch collection, but its exchange rate margin is usually wider than the app-first services.

Good forUse MoneyGram when your recipient prefers to collect a small amount of cash at a bank branch, or when you want to pay in person at an agent.
Look elsewhere ifAvoid it for regular bank transfers if you want the most naira, and for amounts above the cash pickup cap, which must go to a bank account.
Bank accountCash pickup Pay: Debit cardPay: Credit cardPay: Bank transfer

Instarem

Zero fee, bank-funded Minutes to 2 business days

Instarem is a money transfer service owned by Nium, a Singapore-founded global payments company. It pays naira into Nigerian bank accounts, usually with no upfront fee, and gives rewards points on every transfer. You pay from your bank account rather than a card, and its exchange rate margin is often wider than the leading Nigeria apps.

For C$500: recipient gets ₦473,515, fee none, rate margin 2.8%.

Good forUse Instarem if you prefer paying from your bank account, want no upfront fee, and like collecting rewards on regular transfers.
Look elsewhere ifAvoid it when you need money to arrive in minutes from a debit card, when your recipient needs cash or a mobile wallet, or when you want the best possible rate.
Bank account Pay: ACHPay: Bank transfer

For businesses, banks and money transfer operators

These providers do not serve individual senders, so they are not in the rate ranking above. They give businesses and financial institutions an API to pay out to Nigerian bank accounts, wallets and cash pickup points.

Swerve

B2B payout API

Swerve is a cross-border payout API for banks, money transfer operators, wallet providers, NGOs and corporates. Through one integration it disburses to bank accounts, mobile wallets and cash pickup points in 60+ countries, including Nigeria. It is not a consumer app.

Bank accountOPay / PalmPayCash pickup

How the money can arrive in Nigeria

  • Naira bank account. Any Nigerian bank, usually within minutes once the app has received your payment.
  • OPay, PalmPay and similar accounts. Supported by some apps; check the recipient bank list in the app.
  • Naira cash pickup. Available from WorldRemit and Remitly for small amounts only (about USD 200 equivalent per payout).
  • Foreign currency into a domiciliary account. Only by a direct bank wire from your Canadian bank, not through remittance apps.

How to pay from Canada

  • Interac e-Transfer. Widely used in Canada and accepted by several Nigeria-focused apps. Transfers usually reach the provider quickly, though first-time or large e-Transfers can be held by your bank.
  • Debit card. Fast, where supported.
  • Bank transfer or pre-authorised debit. Can take a business day or more to clear.
  • Credit card. Avoid if possible; issuers often treat it as a cash advance with extra fees and interest.

Check the provider is registered

Money services businesses operating in Canada must be registered with FINTRAC. You can search FINTRAC's public MSB registry to confirm a provider before you send.

Canadian rules for sending money abroad

  • No gift tax in Canada. Sending money to family in Nigeria is not taxed as a gift.
  • Large transfers are reported, not taxed. Money services businesses must report international electronic funds transfers of CAD 10,000 or more to FINTRAC, including several smaller transfers that add up to CAD 10,000 within 24 hours. This is routine reporting. Never split transfers to avoid it.
  • Keep records of large transfers, especially if the money came from a sale, loan or savings.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change; check with the relevant authority or an adviser for your situation.

Common delays from Canada to Nigeria

  1. Interac e-Transfer held by your bank. First-time or large e-Transfers are sometimes held for review. Check your bank app.
  2. Name or account number mismatch with the recipient's Nigerian bank account.
  3. Tier 1 account limits: ₦50,000 per day and a ₦300,000 balance. Ask the recipient to upgrade with their BVN and ID.
  4. Identity verification on your first larger transfer. Upload documents quickly to release it.

Sending money from Canada to Nigeria: FAQ

What is the best app to send money from Canada to Nigeria?

LemFi and Africhange are popular for this route and charge little or no upfront fee; Sendwave, Remitly, WorldRemit and Wise are also available. The best one changes with the daily exchange rate, so compare the naira received in our calculator.

Can I pay with Interac e-Transfer?

Several Nigeria-focused apps accept Interac e-Transfer. Check the payment options in the app before you start.

How long does a transfer from Canada to Nigeria take?

Once the provider has received your payment, app transfers to Nigerian bank accounts usually arrive within minutes. Bank transfers and held e-Transfers can add time.

Do I need to report money I send from Canada to Nigeria?

You do not file anything yourself for normal family support. The provider reports international transfers of CAD 10,000 or more to FINTRAC. There is no gift tax in Canada.

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