The Airtel Money Global Pay Card is a virtual prepaid card that was introduced today by Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL) in collaboration with Mastercard, Diamond Trust Bank, and Network International. Its purpose is to provide Ugandans with a safe and practical means of making international payments.
The customer’s regular Airtel Money wallet is separate from the Airtel Money Global Pay Card. Customers can load just the necessary amount onto this prepaid card, giving them greater control over how much they spend on a variety of services like digital advertising, e-commerce, entertainment, education, and travel.
The card can be created, funded from the customer’s wallet, and withdrawn for free using the MyAirtel App, which makes it convenient for customers in today’s increasingly connected world.
Japhet Aritho, Managing Director of Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited, said during the launch, “We are excited to introduce a product that reflects our dedication to offering Ugandans creative and easily accessible financial solutions. We are leading with a prepaid Virtual Card on the MyAirtel App because we understand that USSD technology is sunsetting.
We are creating global opportunities through our partnerships with Mastercard, Diamond Trust Bank, and Network International, allowing our clients to confidently and easily engage in the expanding global digital economy.
He went on to say, “Airtel has made significant investments in internet connectivity throughout the nation and updated our Airtel App, which is now more secure, allowing Ugandans to do more—not just connect with one another but also conduct business. We must innovate and develop better, seamless, secure, and international services for our clients in light of global technological advancements.
In the year preceding June 2023, mobile money transactions reached 191 trillion shillings, indicating a significant uptick in Uganda’s digital financial services. According to the Bank of Uganda, this represents a 23% increase over the 156 trillion shillings from the previous year.
“The growing use of digital transactions in Uganda highlights the necessity of working with partners like Airtel Money that have proven to have the technical financial and human resources to push the boundaries of digital and financial inclusion,” said Lenin Oyuga, Head, Telco Digital Partnerships MEA at Mastercard, in reference to the partnership. As Mastercard, we are pleased and sure that our customers will have an amazing experience with the Airtel Money Global Pay card.
Customers can pay for services from thousands of foreign merchants using the Airtel Money Global Pay Card. Online shopping on sites like Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba, as well as streaming media on services like Netflix, Spotify, and Apple Music, are a few examples.
- Online education via Udemy, Duolingo, and Coursera.
- Digital marketing on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
- Reservations for travel made through Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia.
- Subscriptions to Adobe, Google, and Microsoft software.
“Clients can activate their cards and download the MyAirtel App to sign up for this service. After that, they can start transacting by loading money from their Airtel Money wallet. For assistance, they can also contact our service centers or give our customer service numbers a call,” Aritho said.
