Kuda, the money app for Africans, launches in the UK

Today, Kuda, the money app for Africans is launching in the UK as part of a major global expansion drive, following a total investment of over $90 million USD. The launch will enable hundreds of thousands of UK-based Nigerians to combat high remittance costs on large transfers which currently average out at eight percent¹ – significantly short of the UN Sustainable Development Goal target of 3%². Kuda’s vision is to give all Africans globally access to friction-free and affordable financial services, connecting the diaspora with Africa and increasing financial inclusion.

Kuda is entering the UK market charging a flat fee of only £3 with a transfer limit of £10,000. With over £3 billion³ sent from the UK to Nigeria every year, Kuda is set to save UK Nigerians millions of pounds. Parent company Kuda Technologies Limited was founded in 2019 by two Nigerians, Babs Ogundeyi and Musty Mustapha. Its Nigerian business rapidly expanded to become the country’s number one money app, with nearly five million customers.

Remittance accounts for nearly 1% of Nigeria’s total GDP³ but the UK to Nigeria payment rail has been notoriously unreliable, with high fees. Kuda’s digital-only approach and unique local market knowledge has allowed it to launch a service that drives prosperity for both senders and recipients. Kuda operates as a distributor of Modulr, which enables Kuda’s UK entity to offer a mobile wallet, virtual and physical cards, local UK transfers and direct debits. Kuda is also supported by TellMoney, which helps Kuda maintain the open banking standard under Modulr’s requirements.

Commenting on the launch of the UK app, CEO and co-founder Babs Ogundeyi said: “Africans in the UK are faced with barrier after barrier when it comes to financial services – from challenges setting up accounts to prohibitive and inconsistent fees on meaningful transfers. They are forced to limit each transfer to a few hundred pounds to avoid losing money or face escalating exchange rates with bigger transfers.

Technology means the world is getting smaller but the incredible transformation in financial services hasn’t been inclusive. Kuda is changing that – initially for Nigerians, then all Africans in the UK and across the globe.”

The Kuda app will be available on iOS, Android and the web, initially offering UK-to-Nigeria remittance, with plans to expand the remittance service to other African countries and expand the feature portfolio for UK customers in the near future.