By: African business

Thunes and Ecobank Partner to Enable Instant Cross-Border Payments in Africa

In a landmark collaboration announced on October 29, 2025, Thunes, a global payments network, and Ecobank Group, a leading pan-African financial institution, have joined forces to reshape Africa's financial landscape. This partnership is designed to provide millions of individuals and businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa with instant cross-border payment capabilities, marking a significant step in integrating banking and fintech infrastructures for greater financial connectivity.

Strategic Alignment and Vision for Financial Inclusion

The partnership builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed in 2024 between Ecobank and Thunes' holding company, TransferTo. Peter De Caluwe, CEO of Thunes, described the collaboration as a major development in powering payments across Africa, combining Thunes' technological solutions with Ecobank's extensive reach to deliver faster, more reliable access to liquidity. He emphasized that this live, large-scale solution is a key milestone in enabling the next billion users to participate in the global economy.

Echoing this sentiment, Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Group, stated that the partnership aligns perfectly with the bank's mission to provide borderless banking and drive financial inclusion. By integrating Ecobank's robust infrastructure with Thunes' fintech innovation and global network, the alliance aims to expand real-time financial access for millions and catalyze the growth of Africa's digital economy.

Phased Rollout and Initial Implementation

Ecobank Group, which operates in 32 African countries, will implement the partnership in a phased manner, ensuring alignment with local regulatory frameworks in each market. The ultimate goal is to connect Ecobank's vast customer base to Thunes' Direct Global Network, which spans over 130 countries and links to 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide.

The collaboration has already commenced operations, with Togo being the first country to benefit. Ecobank customers in Togo can now receive instant payments from global remittance providers. This initial launch demonstrates the operational readiness of the partnership and sets the stage for a broader continental expansion in the near future.

Expected Impact on Trade and Digital Participation

The integration is poised to significantly simplify how people and businesses send, receive, and manage money across borders. By offering faster settlements and easier access to liquidity, the partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for trade, remittances, and digital participation. The initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs to trade beyond borders, enable families to support loved ones instantly, and help communities engage in a more dynamic digital economy. This strategic alliance positions both Thunes and Ecobank at the forefront of inclusive financial innovation, potentially redefining monetary flows across Africa for generations to come.