Cheapest way to send money to Ethiopia — all services compared.
Compare fees, exchange rates and transfer speeds across Western Union, MoneyGram, Wise, Dahabshiil and direct bank SWIFT transfers for all major diaspora corridors.
Fee comparison
Remittance services — sorted by fee.
Service
Fee %
Min amount
Max amount
Processing
Verified
Mid-market rate with transparent fees. Best for large transfers.
1.20%
ETB 500
ETB 5,000,000
24 hours
26 Apr 2026
1.20%
24h processing · ETB 500 min
SWIFT transfers through CBE. Widest correspondent bank network in Ethiopia.
1.80%
ETB 5,000
ETB 10,000,000
48 hours
26 Apr 2026
48h processing · ETB 5,000 min
2.00%
ETB 5,000
ETB 5,000,000
48 hours
26 Apr 2026
2.00%
48h processing · ETB 5,000 min
2.50%
24h processing · — min
2.50%
ETB 500
ETB 500,000
2 hours
26 Apr 2026
2.50%
2h processing · ETB 500 min
2.80%
ETB 1,000
ETB 1,000,000
24 hours
26 Apr 2026
2.80%
24h processing · ETB 1,000 min
Available through partner banks. Competitive rates for Gulf corridors.
3.20%
ETB 500
ETB 300,000
1 hour
26 Apr 2026
3.20%
1h processing · ETB 500 min
Available at all major bank branches. Cash pickup or bank deposit.
3.50%
ETB 500
ETB 500,000
1 hour
26 Apr 2026
1h processing · ETB 500 min
Fees sourced from official service websites · For comparison only · Sorted by fee (low to high)
Full transfer comparison →Transfer fees and exchange rates may vary. Always check the actual cost at the point of transfer. BirrBank is not a money transfer service.
NBE registry
All 65 NBE-licensed money transfer agencies
Click any agency to view their full profile.
Sending guide
How to find the cheapest remittance route.
01
Compare total cost, not just the fee
The fee percentage is only part of the cost. The exchange rate margin is often the larger cost, especially on large transfers. Always calculate the total ETB your recipient will receive.
02
Processing speed vs cost tradeoff
Instant transfers cost more. Bank SWIFT transfers take 24-48 hours but are cheaper for large amounts. Wise offers near-mid-market rates with 24-hour delivery. Match the service to your urgency.
03
Corridor differences matter
Fees and rates vary significantly by sending country. The US corridor is highly competitive. UK and Scandinavia are best served by Dahabshiil. Gulf corridors favour Western Union and MoneyGram.
Also track
Compare the live NBE ETB exchange rate.
The fee is only part of the cost. The exchange rate margin is often larger. Compare the total ETB received.
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