Economic experts say most immigrant families send 30%-50% of their household income to other countries. Most send money back home to help families pay bills and school fees, while others invest in building homes and businesses.

Tanzanian Patricia Rugaika, 40, works for the state as a customer service provider and has lived in the United States for seven years. She says the pressure to send money home does not affect her much as she only sends when she wishes. “Everyone back home has their own means of income, so if I send it, it’s for my mother,” Rugaika said.

“I feel happy and fulfilled when I send money home. Since my family is not depending on me, there are no expectations.”

According to RemitSCOPE, Africa is the most expensive region in the world to send money, with an average cost of 8.2% for every $200 sent in the first quarter of 2025.

Experts say higher remittance fees arise from inefficient banking corridors, limited entry by competitors, strict law enforcement costs, and currency volatility. More than 50% of Black immigrants in California originated from West Africa, East Africa and the Caribbean.

Many African immigrants use apps such as Send Wave and Tap Tap to send money back home. “The challenge is that sometimes the exchange rates are extremely low compared to what the Central Bank exchange rate is,” Kimani said.

Remittances to sub-Saharan African nations cost those sending them an 8% fee, “a financial strain for less privileged people,” Zane says. He points to alternatives such as blockchain, which charges as low as 1%-2% per transaction, but banks, protective of their profits, refuse to enact needed reforms.

Though it is expensive for Africans abroad to send money home, they send no matter the expense.

While many African immigrants in the United States take on more responsibilities home and abroad, most are bracing for a positive outlook and financial breakthrough to help them manage their bills without straining.

“It’s very hard sometimes,” Rugaika said. “You have to work around the clock to meet your needs.

“My advice for new immigrants is, they should focus on stabilizing their new life while abroad before sending more money back home.”