In today's globalized world, the movement of people across borders is more common than ever. Whether for work, education, or other reasons, millions find themselves living in countries other than their place of birth. This migration has given rise to a significant financial phenomenon: remittances. 

‍What is Remittance?

At its core, a remittance is a transfer of money by a foreign worker to their home country. These funds are often sent to family members and are used for various purposes, including daily living expenses, education, healthcare, and even investments in local businesses.

Why is Remittance Needed?

Support for Families:
Many individuals migrate in search of better employment opportunities. The money they earn abroad is often more than what they could make in their home country. By sending a portion of their earnings back home, they can provide a better quality of life for their families.

‍Economic Impact:
Remittances play a crucial role in the economies of many developing countries. In some cases, the inflow from remittances can exceed foreign aid and even foreign direct investment. This influx of funds can lead to increased consumption, investment in education, and even the creation of new businesses.

‍Social Welfare:
Remittances can act as a safety net for families in times of economic downturns, natural disasters, or other crises. They can provide a stable source of income when other means might be disrupted.

Challenges of Remittance

While remittances play a vital role in the global economy, they are not without their challenges:

‍High Costs:
Sending money across borders can be expensive. Traditional banking systems often charge high fees for international transfers. This means that a significant portion of the money intended for families is lost in transaction fees.

Access Issues:
Not everyone has easy access to banking facilities. In many rural areas, recipients might have to travel long distances to collect their funds, making the process time-consuming and costly.

‍Fluctuating Exchange Rates:
Currency exchange rates can be volatile. This volatility means that the amount sent and the amount received can vary significantly, especially in countries with unstable currencies.

‍Regulatory Hurdles:
Different countries have different regulations concerning incoming remittances. These regulations can sometimes make the process cumbersome and can even limit the amount of money that can be sent or received.

‍Potential for Misuse: Like any financial system, the remittance corridor is not immune to misuse. There are concerns about money laundering or the funding of illicit activities through remittances.

NAKA’s take on remittance

NAKA products allow individuals to send money directly to their family member’s NAKA cards in a secure way, fully utilizing the blockchain technology. Remittances are transferred in a peer-to-peer way, eliminating the need for any unnecessary middlemen, further reducing transaction costs. What’s more is that the service is available 24/7 and the receiver of the remittance has full ownership over the received funds.