Online money transfer firm, WorldRemit, has partnered with Steward Bank in Zimbabwe to launch its service and target that country's $2.1 billion money transfer market.

WorldRemit's move to unveil its money transfer service in the southern African country follows a successful launch of the service in East African nation, Uganda.

Steward Bank has thirteen branches in ten cities and will enable users to transfer money to EcoCash mobile wallet and also access airtime top up functions.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe acquired the share of Steward Bank back in January 2013, and can now offer mobile money services to its customers.

"At WorldRemit our priority is making the money transfer process as smooth as possible for our customers. This partnership with Steward Bank increases the options for senders and recipients, making it more convenient to send money to Zimbabwe,” said Ismail Ahmed, Founder and CEO at WorldRemit.

Speaking on the partnership, Steward Bank chief executive officer, Kwanele Ngwenya said, “This new offering enhances our key propositions as a bank - ease and convenience. Using WorldRemit, Zimbabweans are able to receive money from abroad easily through Steward Bank branches across Zimbabwe.”

WorldRemit has presence in 36 countries and users can send money to over 100 destinations around the globe. The recent expansion of the company is due to a $40 million funding from Accel Patners.