Thunes Sterling Bank payments partnership boosts fast, secure remittances for Nigerians abroad, expanding access across Europe and improving cross-border transfers

Thunes, a global payments infrastructure provider, and Sterling Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, have announced a strategic partnership to expand faster, easier cross-border payments for Nigerians living abroad.

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The collaboration will allow Sterling Bank customers overseas to send money directly into Nigerian accounts using Thunes’ Direct Global Network, initially across multiple European markets.

The companies said the move is designed to improve speed, transparency and reliability for diaspora remittances.

With an estimated 17 million Nigerians living and working outside the country, demand for efficient financial links to home continues to rise.

Thunes said recent research shows that 46 percent of diaspora consumers in Europe consider sending money home as essential as paying rent or utilities.

Daniel Parreira, Senior Vice President for Sales in Africa at Thunes, said the partnership marked a significant step in expanding the company’s footprint across the continent.

“Welcoming Sterling Bank to our Direct Global Network marks another milestone in our expansion across Africa and in the trust placed in our infrastructure,” Parreira said.

“Together, we are enabling a new level of convenience, speed and confidence for customers managing money across borders.”

Sterling Bank said the partnership reflects its drive to remove friction from international payments for its customers abroad.

Ayodeji Saba, Head of Switch and Remittances at Sterling Bank, said the collaboration would make it simpler and more affordable for Nigerians overseas to support families and manage obligations at home.

“With Thunes’ trusted technology, we are giving our customers a faster, more reliable and more affordable way to fund their Sterling Bank accounts from abroad,” Saba said.

“It is a powerful step forward for our diaspora community.”

Under the agreement, both new and existing Sterling Bank customers will be able to initiate near-instant transfers from foreign accounts into Nigeria, reducing delays and uncertainty associated with traditional remittance channels.

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The companies said the initiative also supports broader goals of financial inclusion by improving access to formal financial services and strengthening economic links between Nigerians abroad and communities at home.