botim money users can now send funds to Africa with real-time validation

UAE-based botim money taps TerraPay's global network to offer instant mobile wallet payouts across Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Egypt. Real-time validation prevents failed transfers, targeting Africa's $96.4 billion remittance market.

botim money has partnered with TerraPay to expand its cross-border remittance capabilities, focusing initially on key African markets including Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt.

The strategic alliance enables botim money's UAE users to send funds through direct bank transfers and instant mobile wallet payouts, with real-time validation improving delivery success rates. According to botim money's announcement, the collaboration is designed to make remittances faster, more transparent, and more affordable for customers sending money from the UAE.

The competitive dynamics

The value chain for cross-border remittances is traditionally divided into three parts: senders, payment processors, and recipients. botim money has modularised the middle layer by integrating TerraPay's global payments infrastructure, shifting value toward customer relationship ownership while reducing friction at payout points.

Previously, remittance providers relied on correspondent banking networks with limited visibility and slower settlement times. This partnership has fundamentally changed the competitive dynamics by enabling direct connections to mobile wallets and banks across Africa, where recipients increasingly prefer instant digital payouts over cash collection points.

The key insight here is real-time validation. By verifying recipient details before initiating a transfer, botim money addresses the industry's core reliability problem. Failed transfers don't just cost money — they break trust with customers whose families depend on these payments.

Why African corridors matter

Africa received an estimated $96.4 billion in remittance inflows during 2024, accounting for around 5.2% of the region's GDP. The significance extends beyond headline numbers: mobile wallet adoption has reached critical mass in key markets like Kenya and Uganda, creating network effects that benefit both senders and recipients.

The partnership targets corridors where botim money can establish winner-take-all dynamics. The more UAE senders use botim money for African transfers, the more valuable it becomes to recipients who can receive instant mobile wallet payouts. This virtuous cycle explains why investors pay premium valuations for remittance market leaders.

What matters is not just transaction volume; it's owning the customer relationship on both ends. botim money's existing remittance infrastructure serves millions of users in the UAE, giving it a beachhead for expansion into higher-growth African markets.

The technology advantage

TerraPay's global network reaches 3.7 billion mobile wallets and 7.5 billion bank accounts across 156 countries. By integrating this infrastructure, botim money gains immediate access to payout networks that would take years to build independently.

The real-time validation feature represents a structural advantage in markets where recipient details often change, or mobile money accounts face regulatory restrictions. Traditional remittance providers discover these issues only after initiating transfers, leading to delays and failed transactions.

"For customers, remittances are about reliability. If a transfer fails or is delayed, it has real consequences for families waiting on the other side," said Hesham Sherif, Head of Business, Remittance at botim. "Our partnership with TerraPay strengthens our remittance infrastructure across the world, especially in key African corridors through real-time validation and broader payout coverage."

Looking forward

The partnership positions botim money to capture share in high-growth remittance corridors while TerraPay gains access to botim's 8.5 million UAE users. Looking ahead, this suggests expansion into additional African markets where mobile wallet penetration continues to accelerate.

botim money, licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, has evolved from PayBy into a comprehensive financial services platform within Astra Tech's ecosystem. The company's recent platform updates include AI-powered features and chat-based money transfers, indicating a broader strategy to own the entire customer experience.

"Our partnership with botim money brings together TerraPay's global payments infrastructure and real-time wallet validation with botim's strong presence in the UAE," said Bassem Awada, Senior Vice President at TerraPay. "By enhancing the quality of service, we're helping ensure money reaches recipients seamlessly, efficiently, and on time."

Partnership details

The TerraPay integration is now live for botim money users, with initial focus on remittance corridors to Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt. Specific fees and exchange rates for the new service corridors have not been disclosed, though the partnership aims to make transfers more affordable than those from traditional remittance providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the botim money TerraPay partnership?

botim money has partnered with TerraPay to expand its global remittance services, particularly to African markets, enabling faster and more reliable cross-border transfers through direct bank and mobile wallet payouts.

Which countries are covered by the new botim money remittance service?

Initially, the partnership focuses on remittance corridors to Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, and Egypt, where mobile wallets are key for recipients.

How does real-time validation benefit botim money users?

Real-time validation verifies recipient details before a transfer is initiated, significantly improving delivery and success rates and providing greater peace of mind that money reaches the intended recipient.

Is botim money regulated in the UAE?

Yes, botim money is licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE and holds both Stored Value Facility and Retail Payment Services licenses, serving over 8.5 million users in the UAE.