Brits can now beam money to Kenya as Barclays Pingit app expands

Barclays is to allow money to be sent from mobile phones in the UK to those in Kenya this week, as part of the international rollout of its Pingit app.

The Pingit app was introduced in February for Barclays customers, then opened up to customers of other UK banks and building societies in April. Now it's the turn of other lands: according to Barclays, the fee-free transfer service will expand to 12 African countries by the end of this year, and European countries early in 2013.

"Pingit is quick, convenient, secure and free — it's revolutionised how people send and receive money in the UK, and now has the potential to transform international payments around the world," Barclays retail and business banking chief Antony Jenkins said in a statement.

"Kenya is a key market where Barclays has operated for over 95 years, and we anticipate significant demand for mobile payments across Africa," Jenkins added.

People can send up to £750 a day using Pingit, and receive up to £5,000. Barclays said in its statement that retail customers would soon be able to take advantage of BARX FX wholesale foreign exchange prices, which had previously only been available to corporate clients.

After Kenya, the African countries to get Pingit will be: Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Uganda, the Seychelles and Mauritius. The UAE will also get Pingit.