Kuda, the money app for Africans is launching in the United Kingdom as part of a major global expansion drive, following a total investment of over $90 million.
The launch will among other things, enable hundreds of thousands of UK-based Nigerians to combat high remittance costs on large transfers which currently average out at eight per cent – significantly short of the UN Sustainable Development Goal target of 3 per cent.
The businesses’ 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 (through its UK-based subsidiary – Kuda EMI Limited) charging a flat fee of only £3 with a transfer limit of £10,000.
With over £3 billion 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 GDP 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’s UK entity will also offer a mobile wallet, virtual and physical cards, local UK transfers and direct debits.
Commenting on the launch of the UK app, CEO and co-founder Kuda 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.
In addition to the financial services being launched in the UK, several functions will also be launched simultaneously on the Kuda App for its Nigerian customers.
On the Kuda App Nigerians can now make investments in shares, make cardless withdrawals at the ATM and set up micro-saving plans.