Bank account (ACH debit)
1-3 business days
Fund your transfer directly from a linked US checking or savings account.
This funding method is planned but cannot be used until it has been enabled and approved by MellaPay's banking partner.
How It Works
From your phone to Ethiopia, in seven clear steps
MellaPay moves money on regulated banking rails with verification at every stage. Here is exactly what happens after you press send — and how you can follow it.
Licensed money transmitter
Regulated and supervised
Costs shown upfront
See the fee before you confirm
Trackable end to end
Follow every stage by reference
The path your money takes
Five stages, fully monitored
Your transfer passes through regulated infrastructure at every stage. We describe each partner by the role it performs.
You
Start your transfer
MellaPay
Quote, verify, submit
Secure Banking Infrastructure
Regulated U.S. rails
Licensed Payout Network
Delivery inside Ethiopia
Your recipient
Receives Ethiopian birr
Every step, explained
Scroll through the full journey, or jump to any step from the list.
Step 1
Create your account
Set up a secure MellaPay account and verify your identity. As a licensed money transmitter we are required to confirm who you are before moving funds — it also protects your account from being used by anyone else.
- Register with your email and a strong password
- Verify your identity with a government-issued ID
- Turn on two-factor authentication
- Your credentials are encrypted and never shared
Step 2
Add your recipient
Tell us who is receiving the money and how they would like to collect it. Saved recipients make your next transfer a few taps.
- Recipient full name and phone number
- Bank account details, where applicable
- Preferred delivery method
- Save recipients for faster repeat transfers
Step 3
Choose how you want to pay
Pick the funding method that suits you. Every method shows its live availability and settlement window before you commit, so you always know what you are choosing.
- Bank transfer, card, wire, or cash deposit
- Live availability shown for each method
- Exact fee and exchange rate quoted upfront
- No hidden charges added later
Step 4
Secure payment processing
Your payment is securely processed through MellaPay’s regulated banking infrastructure using encrypted financial networks. We never store your bank credentials.
- Funds move on regulated U.S. banking rails
- End-to-end encryption in transit and at rest
- Funding confirmed by our U.S. banking partner, never assumed
- Your transfer only advances once funding clears
Step 5
Compliance and security review
Before any money is released, your transfer passes through the screening every regulated transfer must clear. Most complete in seconds; a small number need a closer look.
- Identity verification and sanctions screening
- Automated fraud detection
- Ongoing transaction monitoring
- Anti-money-laundering review
Step 6
Your recipient is paid
Once your payment has been verified, your recipient receives the funds through MellaPay’s licensed payout network in Ethiopia — as a bank deposit, to a mobile wallet, or as cash for pickup.
- Deposit to an Ethiopian bank account
- Mobile wallet delivery
- Cash pickup at participating branches
- Recipient identity checked before payout
Step 7
Track every step
Follow your transfer from the moment you submit it until your recipient is paid. You get a reference number plus email and SMS updates at each milestone.
- Live status in your dashboard
- Email and SMS milestone alerts
- Reference number for support enquiries
- Downloadable receipt once complete
Funding methods
Choose how you pay
Availability below is read live from our systems, so what you see here is exactly what the app will let you choose right now.
Domestic wire
Same business day
Send a domestic wire from any participating US financial institution.
This funding method is planned but cannot be used until it has been enabled and approved by MellaPay's banking partner.
Debit or credit card
Minutes
Fund your transfer with a major debit or credit card.
This funding method is planned but cannot be used until it has been enabled and approved by MellaPay's banking partner.
Cash deposit
Next business day
Pay in cash at a participating branch, an authorised agent, or an approved deposit channel.
This funding method is planned but cannot be used until it has been enabled and approved by MellaPay's banking partner.
What you will see while you wait
Your transfer moves through these statuses. You are notified as each one changes.
1
Payment received
We have your funds
2
Security review
Compliance checks running
3
Processing
Moving on banking rails
4
Recipient delivery
Payout in progress
5
Completed
Funds collected
Enterprise security
Your data and your money are protected with enterprise-grade encryption and secure financial infrastructure.
Trusted banking network
MellaPay works with licensed financial institutions and regulated banking partners to process every transaction.
Global compliance
Transfers undergo identity verification, fraud prevention, and regulatory screening before processing.
Monitored delivery
Every transfer is monitored from funding through recipient delivery, with real-time status updates.
For the security of our customers and financial ecosystem, MellaPay does not publicly disclose the identity of its banking and settlement partners. Our banking infrastructure operates through licensed and regulated financial institutions in accordance with applicable laws and industry standards.
Today's exchange rate
MellaPay adds a bonus on top of the reference market rate, so your recipient gets more birr per dollar.
Reference market rate
161.9235 ETB
Per 1 USD, from our licensed banking network
MellaPay bonus
+14 ETB
Added on top of the reference rate
You get
175.9235 ETB
Per 1 USD, before the transfer fee
Up 1.4239 ETB (+0.89%) since the previous published rate
Live rateRate date Aug 31, 2026Official Reference Rate
Rates are indicative and may vary with market conditions, transfer amount, payout method, and regulatory requirements. Your final rate and fee are always shown before you confirm a transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to send your first transfer?
Create your account in minutes. You will see the exact fee and exchange rate before you confirm anything.