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Onboarding in Malawi 🇲🇼

Complete guide to getting started with reply.cash in Malawi. Learn how to set up your wallet, buy USDC with mobile money, send money to mobile money networks, and use all features.

Overview​

reply.cash enables you to:

  • ✅ Buy USDC with mobile money (Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba)
  • ✅ Send money to Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba
  • ✅ Receive payments directly to your mobile money account
  • ✅ Use crypto like cash for local payments

Why use reply.cash in Malawi?

  • Lower fees (typically under 2% vs 3-8% for traditional remittances)
  • Instant settlement (1-5 minutes for mobile money)
  • No registration needed for recipients
  • Privacy benefits without mobile money registration tracking
  • Universal balance works across all countries

Step 1: Set Up Your Solana Wallet​

Before you can use reply.cash, you need a Solana wallet with USDC balance.

Choose a Wallet​

Popular Solana wallets:

  • Phantom - Most popular, user-friendly
  • Solflare - Feature-rich, good for advanced users
  • Backpack - Modern interface, great for beginners
  • Jupiter - Built-in swap features

→ Complete Wallet Setup Guide - Detailed instructions for all wallets

Quick Setup (Phantom Example)​

  1. Download Phantom

    • Visit phantom.app
    • Install the browser extension or mobile app

  2. Create Wallet

    • Click "Create New Wallet"
    • Save your recovery phrase securely (12 or 24 words)
    • Set a password

  3. Verify Setup

    • Your wallet address will be displayed
    • Copy it for later use

→ Phantom Wallet Guide - Complete Phantom setup guide

Step 2: Buy USDC with Mobile Money​

Once you have a wallet, buy USDC using your mobile money account (Airtel or TNM).

Quick Steps​

  1. Connect Wallet to reply.cash

    • Visit app.reply.cash
    • Click "Connect Wallet"
    • Select your wallet (Phantom, Solflare, etc.)
    • Approve the connection

  2. Navigate to Onramp

    • Click "Top Up" in the navigation
    • Select "Buy with Mobile Money" or "Malawi"

  3. Enter Details

    • Amount: Enter amount in MWK (e.g., 100)
    • Phone Number: Enter your mobile money registered number (e.g., +265991234567)
      • Network Detection: Your mobile money network will be automatically detected
    • Destination: Choose your connected wallet or enter external wallet address

  4. Authorize Payment

    • Click "Confirm"
    • You'll receive a payment prompt on your phone
    • Enter your mobile money PIN to authorize
    • Wait 1-5 minutes for USDC to arrive

→ Complete Malawi Mobile Money Onramp Guide - Detailed step-by-step instructions

Transaction Limits​

  • Minimum: MWK 5
  • Maximum: MWK 5,000,000 per transaction
  • Daily: Varies by mobile money network and account tier

Step 3: Send Money to Mobile Money Networks​

Now that you have USDC, you can send money to anyone in Malawi.

Supported Payment Methods​

📱 Airtel Money​

  • Mobile money service in Malawi
  • Instant settlement (1-5 minutes)
  • Transaction limits: MWK 100 - MWK 5,000,000

📱 TNM Mpamba​

  • TNM's mobile money platform in Malawi
  • Instant settlement (1-5 minutes)
  • Transaction limits: MWK 100 - MWK 5,000,000

How to Send​

  1. Open reply.cash

    • Ensure your wallet is connected
    • You should see your USDC balance

  2. Initiate Payment

    • Click "Send" on the home screen
    • Select "Local Payment Rails" or "Mobile Money"
    • Choose 🇲🇼 Malawi

  3. Select Payment Method

    • Choose Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba
    • Enter recipient's phone number
    • Network will be automatically detected based on phone number

  4. Enter Amount

    • Enter amount in MWK
    • Review exchange rate and conversion
    • Check transaction fee

  5. Confirm and Send

    • Review all details
    • Click "Confirm" or "Send"
    • Approve transaction in your wallet
    • Wait for confirmation (1-5 minutes)

→ Complete Sending Guide for Malawi - Detailed instructions

Step 4: Understanding Mobile Money Networks​

Airtel Money​

About:

  • Mobile money service in Malawi
  • Growing network coverage
  • Active user base

Features:

  • Secure PIN-based authentication
  • Agent network for cash deposits/withdrawals
  • Bank integration
  • Bill payments and merchant payments

Transaction Limits:

  • Minimum: MWK 100
  • Maximum: MWK 5,000,000 per transaction
  • Daily: Varies by account tier

→ Airtel Money Malawi Deep Dive - Complete Airtel Money guide

TNM Mpamba​

About:

  • TNM's mobile money platform in Malawi
  • Growing network
  • Active user base

Features:

  • Secure transactions
  • Agent network
  • Merchant payments

Transaction Limits:

  • Minimum: MWK 100
  • Maximum: MWK 5,000,000 per transaction
  • Daily: Varies by account tier

→ TNM Mpamba Malawi Deep Dive - Complete TNM Mpamba guide

Step 5: Receiving Payments​

How Recipients Receive Money​

When someone sends you money via reply.cash:

  1. Payment Notification

    • You receive SMS notification
    • Funds appear in your mobile money account

  2. No Action Required

    • Funds are automatically deposited
    • Available immediately for use

  3. Use Funds

    • Withdraw at agents
    • Transfer to bank
    • Use for payments
    • Send to others

→ Receiving Money Guide - Complete receiving guide

What Recipients Need​

  • Mobile Money: Active Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba account registered with phone number
  • No reply.cash account needed - Recipients don't need to register

Mobile Money Network Detection​

When buying USDC or sending money, reply.cash automatically detects your mobile money network based on your phone number:

  • Airtel Money: Airtel numbers (e.g., +265991234567, +265881234567)
  • TNM Mpamba: TNM numbers (e.g., +265991234567, +265881234567)

The system identifies the network automatically, so you don't need to manually select it.

Common Use Cases​

1. Buying USDC for Personal Use​

  • Top up your wallet with mobile money
  • Use USDC to send money to others
  • Build up balance for future payments

2. Sending Money to Family/Friends​

  • Send to Airtel Money or TNM Mpamba accounts
  • Instant settlement
  • Lower fees than traditional methods

3. Business Payments​

  • Pay suppliers via mobile money
  • Receive payments from customers
  • Lower fees than traditional methods

4. Remittances​

  • Send money from abroad to Malawi
  • Lower fees than traditional remittance services
  • Instant settlement

Security Best Practices​

Protect Your Wallet​

  • ✅ Never share your recovery phrase - Keep it secure and offline
  • ✅ Use strong passwords - For wallet and reply.cash account
  • ✅ Verify wallet addresses - Always double-check before sending
  • ✅ Use official apps only - Download from official sources
  • ✅ Enable 2FA - If available on your wallet

Protect Your Mobile Money Account​

  • ✅ Never share your mobile money PIN - reply.cash will never ask for it
  • ✅ Verify merchant name - Should show "reply.cash"
  • ✅ Check amounts - Verify before confirming
  • ✅ Keep phone secure - Use screen lock and biometrics

Troubleshooting​

Wallet Issues​

Problem: Can't connect wallet

  • ✅ Ensure wallet extension/app is installed
  • ✅ Check browser permissions
  • ✅ Try refreshing the page
  • ✅ Try a different browser

Problem: USDC not showing

  • ✅ Check correct wallet is connected
  • ✅ Verify transaction on Solana Explorer
  • ✅ Refresh wallet balance
  • ✅ Check wallet is synced

Mobile Money Issues​

Problem: Payment prompt not received

  • ✅ Check phone has network connection
  • ✅ Verify phone number is correct
  • ✅ Wait 1-2 minutes
  • ✅ Try again

Problem: Payment failed

  • ✅ Check mobile money balance (amount + fees)
  • ✅ Verify PIN is correct
  • ✅ Check transaction limits
  • ✅ Ensure account is active

→ Troubleshooting Guide - Complete troubleshooting guide

Fees & Limits​

Onramp Fees (Buying USDC)​

  • Mobile money fees: Standard transaction fees (varies by network)
  • Exchange rate: Current market rate (MWK to USDC)
  • reply.cash fees: No additional platform fees during initial growth phase

Sending Fees​

  • Mobile Money: No fees for recipients
  • Gas fees: Small SOL fee (< $0.01) for blockchain transaction

Transaction Limits​

Buying USDC:

  • Minimum: MWK 5
  • Maximum: MWK 5,000,000 per transaction
  • Daily: Varies by mobile money network and account tier

Sending Money:

  • Minimum: MWK 5
  • Maximum: MWK 5,000,000 per transaction
  • Daily: Varies by recipient's account tier

Next Steps​

Now that you're set up, explore more features:

Need Help?​

Complete onboarding guide for Malawi. Set up your wallet, buy USDC with mobile money, and start sending money instantly.