Moving to the United States — or starting a new financial life here — comes with plenty of challenges. One of the most frustrating hurdles for immigrants is building a strong credit score. Without a credit history, key milestones like renting an apartment, getting a loan, qualifying for a credit card, or securing competitive interest rates can feel out of reach.

That’s why Afriex’s new partnership with Upwardli is such a big deal. It gives African immigrants and international senders a smart way to build credit automatically just by doing something they’re already doing: sending money.

What Is Afriex Credit Builder (Powered by Upwardli)?

Afriex — best known as a fast, affordable app for international money transfers — recently launched a new feature called Afriex Credit Builder, in partnership with Upwardli. This feature is designed to help users who live in the U.S. build their credit history through regular money transfer activity.

Instead of just sending money, your transfer activity has real‑world credit value too: Afriex reports your timely payment behavior through Upwardli to major U.S. credit bureaus. This means each transfer can help strengthen your credit profile over time, without needing to take out special loans or credit cards.

Why This Matters for Immigrants

Many newcomers arrive in the U.S. with little or no credit history. Traditional lenders often use credit scores to judge reliability, so without a score, you could be rejected for:

• Renting an apartment
• Getting a car loan
• Applying for a credit card
• Qualifying for better interest rates

That “catch‑22” — needing credit to build credit — leaves millions stuck. Afriex and Upwardli break that cycle by letting everyday money transfers count toward your credit history.

How It Works: Step‑by‑Step

1. Sign up through the Afriex App
   – You’ll apply for the Credit Builder feature from inside the Afriex app.
2. Provide Your SSN or ITIN
   – To participate, the U.S. credit reporting system requires a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This allows your activity to be correctly linked to your credit profile. 
3. Soft Credit Check — No Score Damage
   – Afriex performs a soft inquiry during approval, which doesn’t harm your credit score but lets them open a credit line for you.
4. Do What You Already Do — Send Money
   – Each transfer you make with Afriex is reported monthly to credit bureaus. Over time, this creates a history of responsible financial behavior.
5. Watch Your Score Grow
   – Changes can start showing up on your credit report in just a few weeks after you begin using the feature.

Benefits of This Credit‑Building Feature

✔ No extra effort — Your regular transfers pull double duty: helping family abroad and building your credit at home.
✔ Credit reporting to major bureaus — Your activity is shared with U.S. credit bureaus just like other credit accounts.
✔ Tracks progress in‑app — You can monitor your credit‑building journey directly inside Afriex.
✔ No hard credit check at signup — Only a gentle, non‑impactful review is done.
✔ Lays a foundation for future financial goals — Stronger credit helps with loans, rentals, and even better job opportunities.

Important Things to Know

• Available Only in the U.S. — This program currently works only for users with a U.S. address, SSN or ITIN.
• There’s a Monthly Fee — Upwardli typically charges about a $5 monthly fee to maintain the credit builder service. (You’ll want to check the latest fee in‑app before enrolling.)
• SSN/ITIN Is Required — To report to U.S. credit bureaus, you must attach a Social Security Number or a valid Individual Tax Identification Number.

Who This Is Best For

This feature is excellent for:

• Immigrants new to the U.S. trying to establish a credit history
• Newcomers who send money regularly and want more financial power at home
• Anyone who hasn’t had access to traditional credit tools yet

Instead of paying for another credit‑building product separately, you can leverage transfers you already make, making your everyday financial habits work harder for your future.

Final Thoughts

Afriex’s credit‑building partnership with Upwardli turns a basic money‑transfer app into a credit‑building tool. For immigrants starting fresh in the United States, this is a meaningful way to begin building a credit profile that opens doors to better financial opportunities, all without complicated credit products or extra accounts.

So, download the Afriex app on your iOS or android and start building your credit doing what you do everyday, courtesy of Afriex.

Disclaimer: Credit-building services are provided through Afriex’s partnership with Upwardli. Eligibility, fees, and credit outcomes may vary. Please review the latest terms in the Afriex app before enrolling.

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