For a long time, sending money to Egypt from South Africa meant one of two things: an expensive SWIFT wire from a traditional bank, or a fee-heavy trip to a money transfer branch across town. Both got the job done. Both took longer than they should have. And both usually cost more than they needed to.
There is a better way now. Mama Money sends direct to any major Egyptian bank, at fair fees, with the rate and total cost shown in the app before you confirm. This complete guide walks through everything: how to send, what it costs, how long it takes, and what to do when you need to send more.
The whole process happens from your phone. No branches, no queues, no paper forms.
Free on Google Play, the Apple App Store, or Huawei AppGallery. This is where the sending, tracking, and rate-checking all happen.
Use your passport, foreign ID, South African ID, or asylum or refugee document. Take a selfie through the app to complete registration. No proof of address needed to get started.
Select Egypt, choose your recipient's Egyptian bank, and add their account details. The app shows the exchange rate, the fee, and the exact number of Egyptian Pounds your family will receive, before you confirm.
Pay by EFT online, or with cash at a retail partner like Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Spar, Makro, Game, or Flash. Once your payment goes through, both you and your recipient get an SMS with a reference number, so you both know the money is on its way.
Mama Money sends direct to bank accounts at all major Egyptian banks. Your family receives the money into their existing bank account, ready to withdraw at a branch or ATM, or to use through internet and mobile banking. No trip to a collection point, no queuing to pick up cash.
Bank deposit
All major Egyptian banks
Direct into your recipient's Egyptian bank account. Fast, traceable, and regulated. Great for regular support, larger transfers, and family who already have a bank relationship.
More ways coming
Corridor expanding
Mama Money is adding new payout options for Egypt, so your family has more choice in how they receive. See our what's new on the Egypt corridor guide for the latest.
Mama Money's fee for Egypt is 5% or less, and there are no hidden costs. The rate and the fee are always shown in full inside the app before you confirm, so you know exactly what your family will receive in Egyptian Pounds.
| You send | Mama fee | Your family receives |
|---|---|---|
| R500 | Up to R25 | The rest, in Egyptian Pounds at the live rate |
| R1,000 | R50 | The rest, in Egyptian Pounds at the live rate |
| R5,000 | R250 | The rest, in Egyptian Pounds at the live rate |
| R10,000 | R250 | The rest, in Egyptian Pounds at the live rate |
The old-channels comparison
Traditional bank SWIFT wires to Egypt can carry both a flat fee and a margin hidden in the exchange rate, often adding up to well over 5% of the transfer amount. Mama Money shows both the rate and the fee upfront in the app, so you can see exactly what leaves your account and exactly what arrives in Egypt.
Every Mama Money account starts at the Standard limit, which suits most routine support. When you need to send more, you can upgrade to the Higher Limit tier in a few taps.
| Limit tier | Per order | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | R25,000 | R25,000 |
| Higher Limit | R50,000 | R100,000 |
To upgrade, tap "Increase Limits" in the Mama Money app and follow the prompts. You will need to upload a couple of extra documents depending on your ID type, and once approved, you can send up to R100,000 per month. See the Mama Money limits page for the full details on what's required.
Bank transfers to Egypt arrive on average within 5 hours. They can take up to 48 hours, depending on the receiving Egyptian bank and its own processing times. Most Egyptian banks credit the funds well within a working day.
Both you and your recipient get an SMS with a reference number as soon as your payment goes through. You can also track the transfer in the Mama Money app at any time, so there is never a moment where you don't know where the money is.
When you are supporting family, trust matters. Every Mama Money transfer to Egypt goes through licensed banking infrastructure, not informal channels.
Every transfer to Egypt lands in a regulated Egyptian bank account, so your money moves on infrastructure your family already knows and trusts. No fine print. No funny business.
Direct to major Egyptian banks. Fair fees. Clear rates. Send to Egypt from your phone, no branch visit needed.