How to send money to Malawi from South Africa with the best ZAR-MWK rate

A comparison of providers offering services between South Africa and Malawi is paramount. Based on your specific transfer amount, the best way to send money to Malawi could change. Comparing ensures the best price for your needs.

For services allowing you to send Rand to Malawi we've compared 4 providers.

Here are your best money transfer options for sending money from South Africa to Malawi

• Western Union Agent is our recommended way to send Rand to MWK. Sending 4,300 ZAR to MWK will cost you R129 in fees, and your recipient will receive 409,936.83 MWK. The delivery time usually is minutes - 5 days, but it depends on the day you make the transfer.

• To secure a cheap way to transfer ZAR to Malawi, Mukuru is our recommendation. We found that Mukuru fees were 301.00000000000006 ZAR per transfer, and customers would expect an exchange rate between ZAR-MWK that is 1% different to the mid-market rate

• Fastest way to send money to Malawi from South Africa is with PayPal App (P2P Transfer). If you send R4,300 with PayPal App (P2P Transfer) to Malawi, the transfer time is minutes. This is currently the fastest option, but can vary depending on how much ZAR you send to Malawi.

This coverage of the market ensure you will get the best options for your transfer to Malawi from South Africa.

Overall, we rated Western Union Agent as the best, but remember comparing for your specific transfer gives you a comprehensive view of all the options for transferring money from South Africa to Malawi.

A better exchange rate means more Rand being sent to Malawi. This exchange rate determines the price you will pay when buying Kwacha.

Currently the mid-market rate between Rand and Kwacha is 104.9856.

Fees and exchange rates make up the total cost of sending money from Malawi to Malawi. Finding a company that can offer both ensures a good deal on your transfer.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The current ZAR-MWK mid-market rate is 104.9856 MWK per Rand. You will get more Kwacha for your Rands if you find a provider close to this number.

• Fees: Transfer fees are charged as part of the transfer. Mukuru charges the lowest fee of 301.00000000000006 ZAR at the moment. We’d always recommend comparing providers for your exact send amount as fees may change.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount of Kwacha eventually received in Malawi. You can assume that a lower cost of sending from South Africa will result in more money received in Malawi.

Sometimes, waiting a day or two can help you get more MWK for the same amount of Rand - but time it wrong and you might get a worse deal.

If you’re sending a large amount where this rate could make a significant difference, use a forward contract. This allows you to lock in an agreed exchange rate between South Africa and Malawi.

A bank transfer through a money transfer company is the cheapest way to send money. Generally, it’s the payment method that will get you the best price on a transfer from South Africa to Malawi at this moment.

Here are all the ways to send money from South Africa to Malawi:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are usually the best and easiest way to send money from South Africa to Malawi.

By using a money transfer company such as Mukuru for transfers from South Africa to Malawi, you can send money via a bank transfer while benefitting from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get from a traditional bank.

Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from South Africa to Malawi with a debit or a prepaid card is available through Western Union Agent.


Western Union Agent is one of the cheaper options for debit card payments for transfers from South Africa to Malawi. This cost is against a total of 4 money transfer companies offering this option.

Credit cards

When it comes to credit card transfers from South Africa to Malawi, we recommend comparing your options to get the best deal.

Transfer limits to South Africa and Malawi will differ per company, this may impact the amount you can send and receive if you hit the limits.

Also, rates and fees for different ZAR-MWK transfer amounts could change - that’s why it’s best to compare companies for your specific transfer amount. Then, for regular transfers to Malawi, shopping around each time can make a huge difference if you feel you are hitting limits regularly.

For sending large or regular amounts of ZAR to Malawi we'd recommend using Western Union Agent. They offer a combination of rates and fees when sending from South Africa to Malawi that is the most competitive.

There are different ways to receive money in Malawi.

The most popular ways are direct bank deposit into Kwacha, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all providers offering money transfers between South Africa and Malawi will offer every method for incoming Kwacha.

Understanding where the money will eventually go after its left South Africa and entered Malawi could impact the provider you use.

The most common (and generally easiest) way to send money from South Africa to Malawi is directly into a bank account. Western Union Agent is the best company for sending money from South Africa to a bank account in Malawi.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between South Africa and Malawi.

Mobile wallets, P2P services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular because they offer convenience to those who already have them, but they come with more limitations and higher costs.

When sending Kwachas to Malawi, you will need to verify your ID at the sign up stage.

The documents you need will vary by money transfer company and in some cases you might need a couple of options.

For the most part however, in South Africa ID can be verified through a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license.

In Malawi, if the recipient needs an ID to collect money - both should be accepted. We’d recommend checking in advance before sending for any specific requirements on receiving money.

Large transactions between South Africa and Malawi, are subject to additional checks such as proof of funds. This is for anti-money laundering purposes.

Western Union Agent is one of our recommended providers for transfers to Malawi from South Africa due to the ease of sign up and ID verification.

When sending money between South Africa and Malawi there will be tax declarations to consider.

Some transfers into Kwacha may need to be reported to tax authorities in Malawi, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved (or anywhere else there are additional legal requirements).

Depending on age and income in particular, tax limits and personal allowances will change in Malawi.

When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in South Africa or Malawi to discuss the personal circumstances of the transfer. This ensures you are not missing any specific tax declarations associated with your circumstances.