What is Sendwave?
Sendwave was founded in 2014 and was one of the first apps to offer fee-free transfers to Africa from a phone. In 2020 it joined WorldRemit, and both now sit within the Zepz group. Sendwave says it is licensed to transmit money in the US, Canada, the UK and the EU.
Like Taptap Send, Sendwave is designed around the mobile app.
How Sendwave prices a transfer to Nigeria
- Transfer fee: none on the routes we track.
- Exchange rate: Sendwave earns a margin in the rate.
- New customers: a boosted "intro rate" on early transfers on some routes.
- Larger amounts: a slightly better rate above a set amount on some routes ("send more to save more").
On 8 November 2026, Sendwave's public pricing showed:
| Sending from | Standard rate | Mid-market rate | Gap | |---|---|---|---| | USA | ₦1,361.05 per $1 | ₦1,372.72 | about 0.9% | | UK | ₦1,825.10 per £1 | ₦1,832.65 | about 0.4% | | Canada | ₦968.77 per C$1 | ₦971.80 | about 0.3% | | Europe | ₦1,519.03 per €1 | ₦1,529.28 | about 0.7% |
From the US, new customers were offered about 1.3% more on early transfers. From Canada, Sendwave delivered the most naira of every provider we track that day.
Delivery options in Nigeria
- Bank accounts: naira into Nigerian bank accounts, usually within minutes.
- No cash pickup. For cash, use WorldRemit, which is in the same group, or another cash provider.
Paying for your transfer
- Debit cards: the main option.
- Credit cards: not accepted.
- Other methods: depend on the country you send from; check in the app.
Speed
Most transfers to Nigerian banks arrive within minutes. First transfers may be checked before they are released.
Limits
Sendwave sets daily and monthly limits that rise as you verify your identity. Higher limits may need ID and, for large amounts, proof of where the money came from.
How to send money to Nigeria with Sendwave
- Download the app and create an account with your email and phone number.
- Verify your identity with a photo ID and a selfie. Do this before your first transfer to avoid delays.
- Add your debit card in your own name.
- Add your recipient: their full name exactly as on their bank account, the bank name and the 10-digit account number.
- Enter the amount and check the naira your recipient will get. That is the number to compare with other apps.
- Confirm and track the transfer in the app. Your recipient gets a bank alert when the naira lands.
Common reasons transfers are delayed
- Name mismatch. The recipient's name doesn't match their bank account or BVN.
- Unsupported card. A credit card, or a card in someone else's name, is declined.
- Verification. A transfer above your current limit triggers a request for ID.
Our verdict
Sendwave is simple, fee-free and fast, and its rates put it in the top three on most of our routes. If your recipient needs cash, use WorldRemit. If you send from the US, check Taptap Send too. Compare on your route: USA, UK, Canada or Europe.