Guide
Money transfer in Namibia
PayLink moves money between wallets across all 14 regions — with or without a bank account, with or without internet. This guide covers how a transfer works over USSD, where to collect cash, and what each wallet tier can hold.
How to send money from any phone
1. Dial *120*PAY# or open the app
The USSD menu works on any feature phone without airtime data or internet. Smartphone users get the same menu in the PayLink app, in English, Oshiwambo, Afrikaans, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab or Rukwangali.
2. Choose Send Money and enter the number
Type the recipient's Namibian mobile number and the amount in Namibia Dollars. Wallet-to-wallet transfers settle instantly, day or night.
3. Confirm with your PIN
You see the amount, the fee and the recipient before you approve. Both sides get a confirmation message with a reference number.
4. Receiver cashes out at an agent
The receiver generates a one-time cash-out code that is valid for 10 minutes and collects notes from any PayLink agent — a spaza shop, kiosk or fuel station.
Wallet limits by KYC tier
Your tier decides how much value your wallet can hold. You can upgrade at any time from the wallet menu or with the help of an agent.
| Tier | What you provide | Wallet limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 — phone number only | Mobile number, name and date of birth. No documents needed. | N$1,000 wallet balance | Receiving pocket money, paying a shop, small errands. |
| Tier 2 — verified ID | Namibian ID or passport number added in the app or at an agent. | N$25,000 wallet balance | Salaries, rent, business takings, larger remittances home. |
Receiving money and cashing out
Incoming transfers land in your wallet immediately — there is nothing to collect or claim. To turn wallet money into notes, choose Cash out, enter the amount and show the agent the one-time code your phone displays. The agent scans or types the code, hands over the cash and the wallet balance updates on both phones straight away. Codes expire after 10 minutes, so nobody can reuse a screenshot.
To put cash into a wallet, do the reverse: hand notes to the agent and confirm the cash-in on your phone before you walk away.
Paying shops and gig workers
The same wallet pays merchants by QR code or a 6-digit till reference, and backs errand and delivery marketplaces through escrow — funds are held until the job is marked complete, then released to the worker with the platform commission split automatically.