December 28, 2017

Azimo in-depth guide: Europe – Africa made easy

by Jens Ischebeck

Azimo is your reliable remittances market leader in Africa!

  • choose the transfer opportunities that suits you
  • Trusted by more than 1,000,000 users worldwide
  • 195+ countries

Background of Azimo

Azimo online money transfer, a brainchild of the partnership among Michael Kent, Marta Krupinska, Ricky Knox and Marek Wawro, is based in London with offices in Krakow.

Azimo was founded in 2012 to make international money transfer easier, cheaper and faster.

The pioneer Azimo branch was in the UK. The app was developed here. One can send money to any bank in the UK at lower rates using Azimo. Using bank transfer, money is delivered within three days to recipients.

Another delivery model used, SWIFT, is faster with money being received in twenty-four hours or shortly after that. Only the two methods are available in the UK. From here, the company has expanded into Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Azimo African remittances

Scope of operation

The company operates in more than 190 countries, facilitating money transfers in more than eighty currencies. It boasts of over half a million membership subscription.

With over two hundred and seventy thousand Azimo cash pick up locations globally, the company surely has the world covered.

Azimo focuses on sending money from Europe. You can transfer to Africa and US but you can only send from UK, Euro Zone and Nordics at the moment. In the near future Azimo will be sending from Canada and Hong Kong.

Full country list of Azimo

Popularity

The Guardian voted the company as the Best Money-saving App. It is actually among the top ten money transfer apps, earning awards since inception and gaining international recognition from key industry players in finance.

It is regarded as one of the most innovative and successful modern technology money transfer platforms.

Transfer speed

Customers enjoy services on their smartphones, as well as the company website. The app was updated in 2016 to increase security features.

Biometric identification and in-app chatting platform were introduced in the updated version.

How to send money on Azimo

The procedure is so simple and money sent is received between an hour and at most one working day. The recipient can access money instantly, which makes Azimo more convenient. Also, there are also no hidden charges.

Create an account on the Azimo website

Select recipient country, the method of delivery and recipient name.

Choose an amount to send and select payment method; debit/ credit cards, bank transfers and Maestro.

Confirm the accuracy of details provided and make the payment.

Azimo Log in

Mobile wallet fee:

The fee structure of Azimo is very simple: the fee depends on the country you want to send money to.

Then, whatever amount you send to a mobile wallet, the fee is kept stable e.g. at 1.99 EUR (based on an example of sending money from Germany to Kenya).

Send money to Nigeria

If you want to send money to Nigeria (USD to NGN, GBP to NGN or EUR to NGN), you can choose between the following methods:

  • Bank transfer
  • SWIFT transfer
  • Airtime pop up

Send money to Ghana

If you want to send money to Ghana (USD to GHS, GBP to GHS or EUR to GHS), you can choose between the following methods:

  • SWIFT transfer
  • Cash pickup 
  • Mobile money
  • Airtime top up

Send money to Kenya

If you want to send money to Kenya (USD to KES, GBP to KES or EUR to KES), you can choose between the following methods:

  • Bank transfer
  • Cash pickup
  • Mobile money (M-Pesa)
  • Airtime top up

Send money to Egypt

If you want to send money to Egypt (USD to EGP, GBP to EGP or EUR to EGP), you can choose between the following methods:

  • Bank transfer
  • Cash pickup
  • SWIFT transfer
  • Airtime top up 

Using Azimo

Azimo completes a fund transfer in a matter of minutes, courtesy of the fast and efficient internet service of the application. That's comparable with the online money transfer services of WorldRemit, it's remittance rival.

A person can either use the webpage on the website or the Azimo app available on Google Play and App Store. The app has been rated highly for its exceptional performance.

The number of countries being served continues to grow by the day. On the list of supported African countries you'll recognize that Azimo covers most of them: best money transfer app country list for Africa

How much can one send with Azimo?

This varies depending on either the sender and recipient country or method of sending money chosen. It can be as little as 1£. The first transfer on Azimo is free of charge. Where transfer fee is charged, it is less than 90% of other money transferring companies and banks.

Azimo is the fastest way to send money abroad. Expatriates and business people can send money across Africa to be received almost instantly.

To keep its clientele relaxed and assured of transfer, Azimo keeps in constant communication with them. One does not have to wonder where their money is because they are notified of the entire process. Time of delivery may vary, but not more than one day!

The instantaneous nature of Azimo is facilitated by its capacity to hold cash throughout the world. Therefore, money is instantly transferred to the recipient upon confirmation of the payment. The collection period is, however, dependent on the recipient bank.

Safety of Azimo

The company’s priority is to keep its customers’ money safe. The company is:

  • Verified by MasterCard and Visa
  • Regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • Registered by its Majesty’s Revenues and Customs HMRC
  • Certified by German TUV for data security
  • Globally compliant

These regulations are in a bid to enhance the safety of money transfer. Additionally, the company offers 100% money back guarantee.

Azimo app

The application is so secure that there is no risk of losing money to fraudsters. It does not store sensitive financial information; hence, even if one lost their phone, their money is perfectly safe. 

Also, it is impossible for one to steal a customer’s passcode, given the use of developer certificates.

Finally, the app is secured using the SSL protocol.

These measures are meant to safeguard customer transfers.

Azimo Nigeria

In Africa, Nigeria is among the top economies has the most advanced Azimo money transfer services. Just like the rest of the world, one can send money online using Azimo to Nigeria.

As the website says, every Naira counts. The initial transfer is free. Interestingly, money is received in less than thirty minutes in all the banks in Nigeria. Senders and recipients are updated continuously on the processes.

There are three delivery methods in Nigeria. These include bank transfer, SWIFT, and mobile top-up. With bank transfer, money is received in thirty minutes. Those who use SWIFT receive money in twenty-four hours while mobile money is instantly delivered. The procedure of sending money on Azimo in Nigeria is similar to the general one adopted internationally.

Azimo in Nigeria

Azimo Reviews

Azimo has entrusted its reviews to Trustpilot and other online review websites. 

Real customers are allowed to make comments on the services they receive. In its time of operations, the company has been positively reviewed. Many of its customers leave satisfied, and with a possibility of using it again.

In most cases, it has been rated excellent with many applauding its efficiency, fast speed, and lower costs. The issue of languages has also dominated the reviews, whereby it has been given a global score of 7.60.

Azimo Review on Trustpilot

Azimo Support

Communication

Prompt notifications from Azimo in the eight languages have helped reach many people. Unlike other service providers who only use English, Azimo has diversified its communication platform to include the major world languages, thereby, increasing its coverage and usability.

The languages are inclusive of English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish and Italian.

Customer care

In case one has a problem with a transfer or any question regarding the services offered by Azimo, they can efficiently be assisted. First of all, the website has a section of commonly asked questions that one can refer to. If not satisfied, the in-app chat feature comes in handy. The support team is ready to engage customers by responding to their inquiries.

Messages can also be sent through the email address; hello@azimo.com.

What makes it more interesting is the use of different languages. Queries are answered in the customer’s preferred language; hence, convenient and helpful to millions of customers across the world.

Money Transfer with Azimo

Azimo has convinced me for money transfers to and from African countries: online and as app

Pros

  • Fast money transfer within minutes  
  • Cheap, low fee structure
  • Secure money transfer
  • Easy account creation
  • Easy handling
  • Excellent Rating and Reviews

Cons

  • Not available in all African countries
  • Outward transfers restricted or not possible
  • Sending countries are only UK and Europe, but not (yet) USA and Canada

Conclusion:

Azimo is the well-established money transfer operator for African countries. It offers many possibilities for sending and receiving money. With these possibilities, it matches very good the needs of many African based consumers.

For me, Azimo offers a really good product!