Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — May 20, 2026 | Horn News Hub
Dashen Bank has partnered with Mastercard to launch Ethiopia’s first Mastercard-powered multi-currency international prepaid card, marking a major step in the country’s digital banking and cross-border payment ecosystem.
The new product, branded as the “Dashen Mastercard,” was officially unveiled during a press conference held at Dashen Bank headquarters in Addis Ababa. The service introduces both physical and virtual card options, allowing Ethiopian customers to make international payments and online transactions more easily than ever before.
The launch is widely seen as a breakthrough in Ethiopia’s banking and financial technology sector, particularly at a time when the country is pushing for deeper digital transformation and integration into the global digital economy.
The Dashen Mastercard allows users to conduct international transactions on global platforms where Mastercard is accepted, including services such as Netflix, Amazon, and Alibaba. Customers can use the card for online shopping, subscriptions, hotel bookings, and travel-related payments.
Unlike traditional foreign currency accounts, the prepaid card supports multiple currencies through separate wallet accounts, enabling users to load funds as needed directly from Dashen Bank forex bureaus. The reloadable structure is expected to simplify access to international payment services for Ethiopian travelers and digital consumers.
The bank said the card comes with dual-interface technology, enabling both contact and contactless transactions at ATMs and POS terminals worldwide. Customers can also withdraw cash from international ATMs.
One of the most notable features is the integration of One-Time Password (OTP) verification for e-commerce transactions, aimed at improving security and reducing unauthorized use during online payments.
Alongside the card launch, Dashen Bank and Mastercard also introduced the Mastercard Payment Gateway System, a service designed to help Ethiopian businesses accept international online payments through their websites and mobile applications.
The gateway is expected to benefit Ethiopian startups, hotels, tourism businesses, e-commerce platforms, and service providers seeking to attract international customers and process global card payments directly.
Industry observers say the development could help address one of the long-standing challenges faced by Ethiopian consumers and businesses: limited access to globally accepted payment infrastructure.
For years, many Ethiopians relied on informal channels or foreign-issued cards to access international digital services. The introduction of a locally accessible Mastercard-backed solution could significantly change how Ethiopian consumers engage with global digital platforms.
The service is currently available to travelers aged 18 and above. Applicants are required to present travel-related documents, including a passport, visa, and flight ticket, when applying at Dashen Bank branches or forex bureaus.
As an early user of the service, this reporter observed that the platform offers a smoother experience for international online payments compared to previous alternatives available in Ethiopia. The virtual card functionality particularly opens opportunities for freelancers, travelers, and digital consumers who increasingly depend on cross-border digital transactions.
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