Sudan’s remittance market remains one of the largest sources of foreign exchange for the country despite the ongoing civil conflict that began in April 2023. The Sudanese diaspora — estimated at over 4 million people across the Gulf, Egypt, Europe, North America and East Africa — continues to send vital remittances home to families in Khartoum, Omdurman, Khartoum North (Bahri), Port Sudan, Wad Madani, Kassala, El Obeid, Nyala, El Fasher, Atbara, Kosti and Gedaref. The largest inflow corridors are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany and Italy. Conflict-displaced workers — including the 34 Filipinos repatriated by the Philippine government in 2023 and thousands of other migrant workers who chose to remain — still rely on operational remittance corridors. Port Sudan has become the de facto financial gateway since most central-government and banking activities relocated there. The market is regulated by the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS), which licenses commercial banks and exchange bureaus and supervises the country’s foreign-exchange and remittance regime.
Money Transfer Locations
Western Union
Western Union operates in Sudan through partnerships with licensed commercial banks and exchange bureaus. Coverage has been concentrated in Port Sudan and lower-conflict states since the 2023 outbreak of war, with phased restoration in Khartoum, Omdurman and Wad Madani as security conditions improve.
- Western Union Port Sudan
- Western Union Khartoum
- Western Union Omdurman
- Western Union Wad Madani
- Western Union Kassala
- Western Union Gedaref
- Western Union El Obeid
- Western Union Atbara
- Western Union Kosti
MoneyGram
MoneyGram operates through partnerships with Sudanese banks and licensed exchange bureaus, with strong corridors from the Gulf, Egypt and the UK.
- MoneyGram Port Sudan
- MoneyGram Khartoum
- MoneyGram Omdurman
- MoneyGram Wad Madani
- MoneyGram Kassala
- MoneyGram El Obeid
Ria Money Transfer
- Ria Port Sudan
- Ria Khartoum
- Ria Omdurman
- Ria Wad Madani
Digital Money Transfer Providers
Digital remittance apps remain available into Sudan despite the conflict, although delivery in active combat zones may be delayed. Senders should confirm corridor status with the provider before initiating large transfers:
- Sudanese Mobile Money & Bankak — Bank of Khartoum’s mobile wallet, the dominant domestic digital channel
- Cashi — Faisal Islamic Bank’s mobile wallet for domestic and inbound transfers
- WorldRemit — Cash pickup and bank deposit corridors into Sudan
- Remitly — Selected corridor coverage into Sudan from the US, UK and Gulf
- Wise — Outbound from Sudan is limited; check current availability
- Sudani Cash & Zain Cash — Telecom-backed mobile money operators
Major Bank & Financial Partners
Sudanese commercial and Islamic banks handle SWIFT wires, foreign-currency accounts and remittance pay-outs, with most central banking and treasury operations now coordinated from Port Sudan:
- Bank of Khartoum (BOK)
- Faisal Islamic Bank of Sudan
- Omdurman National Bank
- Khartoum Bank
- Sudanese French Bank
- Agricultural Bank of Sudan
- Animal Resources Bank
- National Bank of Sudan
- Tadamon Islamic Bank
- Al Baraka Bank Sudan
Regulator
All commercial banks, Islamic banks, exchange bureaus and money transfer providers in Sudan are licensed and supervised by the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS, بنك السودان المركزي). CBOS regulates the country’s foreign-exchange regime, sets the official exchange rate framework, and supervises anti-money-laundering compliance across all licensed operators. Since 2023 most CBOS operational activity has been coordinated from Port Sudan. Always verify a provider’s CBOS licence before sending funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can migrant workers send money to Sudan during the conflict?
Despite the ongoing civil conflict that began in April 2023, formal remittance corridors into Sudan remain active. Sudanese workers and migrants abroad — whether in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, Germany or elsewhere — can send money home through Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, WorldRemit and Remitly, working with CBOS-licensed Sudanese banks (Bank of Khartoum, Faisal Islamic Bank, Omdurman National Bank, Khartoum Bank) and exchange bureaus. Port Sudan, Wad Madani, Kassala and lower-conflict states have the most reliable coverage. Senders should always confirm the corridor status with their provider before sending large amounts.
How long does an international money transfer to Sudan take?
Cash pickup transfers via Western Union, MoneyGram or Ria typically arrive within minutes at active pay-out locations, primarily in Port Sudan and lower-conflict states. Bank deposits via WorldRemit or Remitly post within 1–2 business days where the recipient’s bank branch is operational. SWIFT wires take 2–4 business days. Conflict-affected areas, banking-system disruptions and the lack of an active branch in certain states can extend timing significantly — confirm pickup availability before sending.
What ID is required to receive money in Sudan?
Recipients in Sudan must present a valid Sudanese National ID card or passport. The ID name must exactly match the name on the transfer. Cash pickup requires the sender’s full name and country, the exact amount, the destination currency, and the MTCN or reference number. Under CBOS anti-money-laundering rules, larger amounts may trigger additional source-of-funds documentation. Recipients displaced by the conflict who have lost ID documents should contact their bank or exchange bureau in advance.
Which currency should I send to Sudan?
Remittances to Sudan are typically converted to Sudanese Pounds (SDG) at the paying bank or exchange bureau. Recipients with a foreign-currency account at a CBOS-licensed bank may also receive USD or other hard currency directly. Given the high volatility of the Sudanese Pound during the conflict, recipients often prefer foreign-currency accounts where available. Compare the all-in cost (fee + exchange-rate margin) before sending — bank corridors and digital providers may differ significantly on the same day.
How is Sudan’s remittance market regulated during the war?
All licensed commercial banks, Islamic banks, exchange bureaus and money transfer providers in Sudan remain regulated by the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS). Since 2023 most CBOS, treasury and government-financial activity has been coordinated from Port Sudan, which has become the country’s de facto financial gateway. CBOS continues to license operators, supervise anti-money-laundering compliance and set the official foreign-exchange framework. Always verify a provider’s CBOS licence at the bank or exchange bureau before sending funds.