Switch, Sterling Bank’s diaspora banking and cross-border payments platform, today announced a strategic collaboration with Thunes, the global payments network, to enable Nigerians in Diaspora link their local and UK/EU bank accounts and instantly top up their Naira accounts at home at no additional costs.
With Thunes’ Direct Global Network integrated into Switch, customers in the UK/EU can fund their Nigerian accounts in seconds, with clear, upfront FX rates and zero fees. Initial rails cover GBP to NGN and EUR to NGN, with USD to NGN, CAD to NGN and other currencies introduced soon.
Speaking on the partnership, Ayodeji Saba, Head of Switch, and Remittance at Sterling Bank described the partnership as transformative for customers:
“We’re thrilled to announce a game-changing collaboration that brings more affordable and efficient global payment solutions to the table. This is about speed, simplicity, and control. Nigerians in the UK and Europe can now link their British Pound or Euro accounts directly to Switch and instantly top up Naira for bills, family support, or investments at home. Backed by BVN/NIN verification and Thunes’ global rails, Switch delivers excellent reliability with a diaspora-first experience.”
Saba also commented: “Ultimately, we’re simplifying how money moves across borders and connecting Nigeria to the world. With Switch and Thunes, Nigerians in the UK and EU can top up their Naira accounts in seconds, starting from £10/€10, with zero fees. It’s instant, seamless, and secure, setting a new benchmark for Africa’s diaspora banking and proving how technology can truly redefine the way the world moves money.”
Speaking on behalf of Thunes, Daniel Parreira, SVP Sales Africa, added:
“As we welcome Sterling Bank’s Switch as a new Member of the Thunes’ Direct Global Network, Nigerian consumers in the UK and Europe will enjoy instant, transparent and dependable cross-border transactions. With our cross-border top-up solutions, the Nigerian diaspora can better control their finances, making their overseas hard-earned income available on their Nigerian Switch account.”
Thunes’ proprietary Direct Global Network, complemented by its SmartX Treasury system and Fortress Compliance platform, allows its members to access more than 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts, and 15 billion cards in over 130 countries to move funds in more than 80 currencies. Thunes, known for its efficient payment processing capabilities and partnerships with major companies like Uber, Deliveroo, PayPal, Remitly, and Revolut, brings extensive experience and reliability to this collaboration.
Switch by Sterling is available for download on Android and iOS, offering an easy and efficient way to manage finances.
About Switch
Switch is a cross-border payment solution owned by Sterling Bank and licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, allowing users to create multi- currency savings accounts, virtual cards, fund transfers, gift cards, airtime and bill payments, investments, and flight ticket purchases. With Switch, users enjoy cheaper fund transfers across over 146 countries. Download Switch by Sterling on Google Play or the App Store.
More Details: https://switch-ng.com/
About Thunes
Thunes is the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world. Thunes’ proprietary Direct Global Network allows Members to make payments in real time in over 130 countries and more than 80 currencies. Thunes’ Network connects directly to over 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide, as well as 15 billion cards via more than 320 different payment methods, such as GCash, M-Pesa, Airtel, MTN, Orange, JazzCash, Easypaisa, AliPay, WeChat Pay and many more. Thunes’ Direct Global Network differentiates itself through its worldwide reach, in-house SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, ensuring Members of the Network receive unrivalled speed, control, visibility, protection, and cost efficiencies when making real-time payments globally. Members of Thunes’ Direct Global Network include gig economy giants like Uber and Deliveroo, super-apps like Grab and WeChat, MTOs, fintechs, PSPs and banks. Headquartered in Singapore, Thunes has offices in 14 locations, including Abidjan, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Manila, Nairobi, Paris,
Riyadh, San Francisco and Shanghai. For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com/
