How to send money to Benin from South Africa with the best ZAR-XOF rate

Comparing providers offering services between South Africa and Benin, based on your specific needs is the best way to send money with confidence.

Right now, for ZAR/XOF

• Western Union Agent is our top choice for ZAR to XOF transfers. Sending 4,300 ZAR to XOF will cost you R129 in fees, and you will receive 135,378.36 XOF. The delivery time usually is minutes - 5 days, but it depends on the day you make the transfer.

• MoneyGram Agent offers the lowest cost transfers of the 3 compared. Data collected for transfers between South Africa and Benin over the past week shows that MoneyGram Agent is 0% cheaper than the second-best option.

• Of 3 companies compared, PayPal App (P2P Transfer) offers the quickest way to send Rands to Benin is with minutes. When speed matters, PayPal App (P2P Transfer) is our recommended choice for sending into Benin from South Africa.

Our comparison includes 3 companies that provide the ability to send Rand to Benin.

This ensures you get the best options for transfers to Benin from South Africa, based on the amount you want to send.

The exchange rate determines the price you’ll pay for CFA Franc BCEAO when sending Rand to Benin.

The rate between the Rand and CFA Franc BCEAO is currently 34.8345.

The total cost of money transfers from South Africa to Benin is a combination of fees and exchange rates. Get the best of both, and you will be getting a good deal.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The mid-market rate for ZAR-XOF is currently 34.8345 XOF per Rand. Providers offering services closer to this rate will ensure more CFA Franc BCEAO for your Rands.

• Fees: Transfer fees are charged alongside a transfer. The company offering the lowest fee is MoneyGram Agent, charging 172 ZAR per transfer. In all cases, we recommend searching for your exact send amount as fees may change.

• Amount Received: Money transfer companies will show you the amount eventually received in CFA Franc BCEAO. Simply, the higher the amount received in South Africa, the lower the cost of sending from Benin.

Sometimes, waiting a day or two can help you get more XOF for the same amount of Rand. Using a forward contract that also allows you to lock in an agreed exchange rate between South Africa and Benin.

Sending money via a bank transfer is the recommended option for sending money from South Africa to Benin.

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

Bank transfers

Paying via a bank transfer is often the better option for sending money from South Africa to Benin.

By using a money transfer company such as MoneyGram Agent for transfers from South Africa to Benin, you can send money and while benefit from lower fees and more favorable exchange rates than you would get with a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from South Africa to Benin with a debit or a prepaid card is easy with Western Union Agent.


Western Union Agent is a one of the better options in the market for international debit card transfers from South Africa to Benin.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone (especially with high cash advance fees).

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Some services between South Africa and Benin have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can transfer. This is applies when receiving money in Benin as well.

Companies will offer different rates and fees for different transfer amounts. For regular transfers to Benin, use Western Union Agent. The combination of rates and fees when sending from South Africa to Benin is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Also, always check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money leaving South Africa, or entering Benin. Mis-understanding these could result in a slower, or even failed, transfer.

There are different ways to receive CFA Franc BCEAO in Benin. This includes a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all providers serving transfers from South Africa to Benin will offer every method for incoming CFA Franc BCEAO, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

One of the more common ways to transfer from South Africa into CFA Franc BCEAO is directly into a bank account. Western Union Agent is the best company for bank transfers between South Africa and Benin.

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

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like MoneyGram Agent.

When signing up to and sending Rand to Benin, through a money transfer company, you will have to verify your ID.

The precise documents you need will vary and in some cases you will need more than one.

For the most part however, in South Africa this will be a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license. In Benin it will be similar, although this should only be needed if you are opening a new account in Benin, or collecting in cash. Sending to an existing bank account in Benin shouldn’t require any additional ID checks.

Large transactions between South Africa and Benin, are subject to additional checks. A provider may ask you for proof of address or may want to carry out a proof of funds check.

One of the reasons Western Union Agent has scored so highly for transfers to Benin is their easy sign up process in South Africa.

When sending large amounts of money between South Africa and Benin there will potentially be a tax declaration to consider.

Some transfers into CFA Franc BCEAO may need to be reported to tax authorities in Benin, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances will change in Benin based on age, income and a few other elements. When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in South Africa or Benin to discuss your personal circumstances.