Africa is a continent on the rise, with people from different countries looking for convenient and reliable ways to pay for goods and services abroad. Whether you’re a small business owner aiming to expand to international markets or simply want to order your favorite gadget from the U.S., access to virtual cards has become increasingly important. Virtual dollar cards are the ultimate tool to tackle these needs.
Today, let’s dive into how and why they can simplify your life and save you money.
Why are virtual cards important for africans?
As e-commerce and remote work grow, many Africans face challenges using traditional bank cards. These issues often stem from local banking restrictions, high fees, or the inability to make payments on international platforms. Virtual cards provide a solution, offering access to global opportunities. They allow you to pay for subscriptions, shop online, book hotels, buy tickets, and even manage your business more efficiently.
Here, we’ll explore the top 5 platforms offering virtual dollar cards for Africans: PSTNET, Revolut, PayDay, Tribapay, and FXKudi. These solutions cater to both business and personal needs, helping you handle tasks of any complexity.
1. PSTNET
PSTNET offers versatile virtual cards for dollar payments, suitable for both business and personal needs.
Ultima from PSTNET allows you to pay for a wide range of services and goods worldwide. These virtual payment cards are ideal for booking hotels, purchasing flight tickets, shopping while traveling, buying digital products, subscribing to services, or simply enjoying online shopping.
The cards have no limits or restrictions, neither on spending and top-ups or on the number of cards issued. Additionally, Ultima cards feature no fees for transactions or declined operations and offer a minimal top-up fee of just 2%. Funds can be withdrawn from the card in USDT with zero fees.
Features:
- Payment networks: Visa/Mastercard
- Supported currencies: USD, EUR, crypto
- Security: 3D Secure, two-factor authentication
- Top-up options: 18 crypto (e.g., Bitcoin, USDT TRC20, ERC20), SWIFT/SEPA bank transfers, or other Visa/Mastercard cards
- Registration: Google, Telegram, or Apple ID, plus email
- Support: 24/7 via Telegram, WhatsApp, and website chat
2. Revolut
Revolut’s virtual cards enable payments in over 150 currencies, including key ones like USD, EUR, and GBP. Balances can be topped up for free using linked bank cards.
With interbank exchange rates, you pay no extra fees on currency conversions until your transactions exceed $1,000 per month. After that, a 0.5% fee applies.
Features:
- Payment networks: Visa/Mastercard
- Supported currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, and more
- Security: 3D Secure
- Top-up options: Linked bank cards, transfers from other Revolut users, WIRE bank transfers
- Registration: Simple data verification via the Revolut app; instant card issuance
- Support: 24/7 in-app chat for Premium and Metal users; limited access for free account holders
3. PayDay
PayDay is a digital platform designed specifically for Africans, offering virtual dollar cards for online payments. Manage your cards directly via their mobile app, making them perfect for subscriptions, international shopping, and more.
Minimum top-up starts at $10, with a $10,000 monthly spending limit per card. Fees vary based on your location and transaction type. Currency conversions use the platform’s internal rates.
Features:
- Payment networks: Visa
- Supported currencies: USD, GBP, EUR
- Security: 3D Secure
- Top-up options: Bank transfers (SEPA/SWIFT) and cryptocurrencies like USDT and BTC
- Registration: Download the PayDay app from App Store or Google Play, register with your name, phone number, and email, and complete identity verification
- Support: 24/7 through various communication channels
4. Tribapay
Tribapay offers virtual dollar cards for international payments and online shopping. This platform, tailored for Africans, provides convenient financial tools through its mobile app.
Additional features include Cashpin, which lets users tokenize funds, and the ability to convert mobile airtime into cash.
Features:
- Payment networks: Visa/Mastercard
- Supported currencies: USD
- Top-up options: Bank transfers and other in-app methods
- Security: Cards issued under Visa and Mastercard licenses with advanced security technologies
- Registration: Create an account via the Tribapay app and follow simple user verification steps
- Support: In-app support available
5. FXKudi
FXKudi offers virtual Visa cards in dollars, ideal for online payments and subscriptions. While these cards are designed for users making international transactions, they don’t support cryptocurrency-related activities.
Spending and top-up limits depend on the chosen card type.
Features:
- Payment networks: Visa
- Supported currencies: USD
- Security: No additional security protocols
- Top-up options: Local currencies of African countries
- Registration: Virtual cards are created through the FXKudi app. Users can issue multiple cards for specific purposes like subscriptions, shopping, or advertising payments
- Support: Available through contact forms and email
How to choose the right virtual card?
Before using a virtual card, it’s essential to identify your needs. For business owners, low fees and support for bulk payments are crucial. If you’re shopping internationally, pay attention to exchange rates.
Another factor to consider is the speed and convenience of card creation. Virtual cards can be used immediately after registration, unlike traditional cards that require a bank visit.
Conclusion
Virtual dollar cards are becoming an indispensable tool for Africans seeking convenient and accessible solutions for online payments and international transactions. Each platform — PSTNET, Revolut, PayDay, Tribapay, and FXKudi, offers unique features tailored to different user needs, whether managing a business, subscribing to services, or shopping abroad.
These cards aren’t just for online payments; they can also be linked to mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay for offline purchases where supported. Additionally, virtual cards are great for tracking and controlling your expenses.
When choosing a card, consider key factors like fees, transaction limits, and top-up methods. By thoroughly evaluating the options, you can select the best card to streamline your finances and ensure security. Virtual cards help you overcome the limitations of traditional banking systems, save time and money, and embrace innovative financial technology to achieve your goals.