Pesa, a global cross-border financial platform, has expanded into Australia, offering zero-transfer-fee money transfers from Australian dollars to Nigerian naira with transparent exchange rates. This move aims to support African diaspora communities, working professionals, international students, and businesses moving money between Australia and African markets. The launch extends Pesa's international reach, providing faster and more transparent cross-border payments.
Pesa's platform supports transfers across more than 40 currencies, with AUD-to-NGN direct corridors leading its Australian rollout. The company secured registration with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre as an Independent Remittance Dealer in July 2025. This registration enables Pesa to integrate directly with local Australian dollar payment infrastructure, reducing reliance on correspondent banking networks and intermediary payment providers.
According to Pesa, its structure allows it to avoid intermediary bank deductions and offer customers zero transfer fees before they complete a transaction. Users can see the applicable exchange rate and the exact naira amount their recipient will receive. This approach provides greater visibility over how much is sent and how much arrives, addressing the challenge of remittance costs in Africa.
The expansion focuses on Australia's African diaspora, including professionals and university students in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. Australian Bureau of Statistics census data show that more than 12,800 Nigerian-born residents live in Australia, with communities concentrated across these major cities. Pesa's service combines zero transfer fees with upfront exchange rates, giving customers greater control over their transactions.
The launch also addresses the wider challenge of remittance costs in Africa, with World Bank data showing that the average cost of sending money to sub-Saharan Africa reached 8.37 per cent in the second quarter of 2024. Pesa's Australian service aims to support financial connections between Australia and Africa, including remittances, trade payments, and diaspora investments.
Tolu Osho, CEO and co-founder of Pesa, emphasized the company's mission to simplify cross-border financial services. He stated that Pesa's platform allows people to send money home for university tuition, family care, or personal projects, knowing exactly how much will arrive. The expansion forms part of Pesa's broader strategy to make moving and managing money across borders simpler for individuals and businesses.
Pesa is a global financial platform headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, enabling individuals and businesses to send money internationally, convert and hold multiple currencies, and access financial products. The company operates through regulated entities and holds the relevant licences and registrations required to provide its services across key markets, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Key points
- Pesa expands into Australia with zero-transfer-fee payments to Nigeria.
- The company aims to support African diaspora communities and address remittance costs in Africa.
- Pesa's platform provides transparent exchange rates and zero transfer fees for cross-border payments.
