EcoCash has done it again! The largest fintech company in Zimbabwe officially launched the Diaspora Wallet – an innovative digital payment solution that enables Zimbabweans living abroad to directly manage and pay for everyday expenses back home, giving them greater control, convenience and peace of mind from anywhere in the world.
The new service was unveiled over the weekend at Zimfest Live, the UK’s largest Zimbabwean cultural festival, held at Delapré Abbey in Northampton, where thousands of Zimbabweans from across the United Kingdom gathered to celebrate Zimbabwean culture, music and entrepreneurship.
The launch enhances the traditional remittance model, where a sender’s involvement typically ends once money has been transferred.
But with the Diaspora Wallet, Zimbabweans living abroad will now be able to make payments directly to merchants and service providers in Zimbabwe, ensuring funds are used for their intended purpose while receiving real-time confirmation that every transaction has been completed.
The launch comes as millions of Zimbabweans in the diaspora continue to play a vital role in supporting families and communities back home through remittances that pay for school fees, rentals, groceries, medical expenses, utility bills and other essential household needs.
According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, diaspora remittances exceeded US$2 billion annually in recent years, making them one of the country’s most important sources of foreign currency and household support.
EcoCash said Diaspora Wallet was developed in response to growing demand from Zimbabweans abroad, for a faster, more secure and more empowering way to remain financially connected to loved ones and investments back home.
“For many people in the diaspora, sending money has traditionally meant handing over control once the transfer is complete,” EcoCash said.
“The Diaspora Wallet changes that experience by allowing customers to pay directly for goods and services from wherever they are in the world. Instead of simply sending cash, they can now settle school fees, pay utility bills, purchase groceries, buy airtime or data, pay merchants and support their families with confidence, knowing exactly how their money is being used.”
Available through the EcoCash Super App, Diaspora Wallet allows customers to register using their international mobile numbers without requiring a Zimbabwean SIM card, local bank account or physical presence in Zimbabwe. Following registration and verification, customers gain access to a fully functional EcoCash wallet that enables them to transact seamlessly from anywhere in the world.
The wallet forms part of the EcoCash Super App, bringing together a comprehensive suite of digital financial services within a single platform. Customers can send money, pay merchants, settle utility bills, purchase ZESA tokens, pay DStv subscriptions, buy airtime and data bundles for loved ones, make donations and access a wide range of other everyday financial services.
The platform also enables customers to fund their wallets through internationally recognised payment channels, including Visa and Mastercard, providing a secure and convenient way to transact across borders. EcoCash said during the initial rollout, customers in the United Kingdom and South Africa will also be able to fund their wallets through Sasai Money Transfer, with additional international funding options expected to be introduced over time.
A key feature of Diaspora Wallet is its real-time payment confirmation capability. Every transaction generates an immediate notification confirming that payment has been successfully processed, giving customers complete visibility and confidence that funds have reached the intended recipient or merchant.
To safeguard customers and maintain the integrity of the platform, all transactions are processed within EcoCash’s established anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance framework, ensuring secure identity verification and adherence to regulatory requirements.
EcoCash said the introduction of the Diaspora Wallet reflects its continued commitment to developing innovative digital financial solutions that connect Zimbabweans across borders while making cross-border payments simpler, faster and more transparent.
Beyond supporting families, the company said the platform empowers Zimbabweans abroad to participate more directly in Zimbabwe’s economy by enabling them to manage household expenses, support education and healthcare, settle business-related payments and contribute to community initiatives without relying on intermediaries.
To access the service, customers simply download the EcoCash Super App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, register using their foreign-issued mobile number, complete the required verification process and begin managing their payments in Zimbabwe from anywhere in the world.
