These virtual dollar cards can help you pay for international transactions from Nigeria

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January 16, 2023
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5 min read
Debit and credit cards in a wallet - virtual dollar card
Debit and credit cards in a wallet

Over the holidays, I had to get a new ATM card as the previous one was a few days away from expiring. But changing it came with a few challenges. Where I had previously paid for international subscriptions like YouTube with it, now I struggled.

On Thursday, January 5, 2023, Zenith Bank informed its customers that it would be suspending international ATM withdrawals, web transactions, and PoS transactions conducted with its naira card from Monday, January 9, 2023. In doing so, it joined the list of Nigerian banks that have shuttered international transactions using naira cards. Since 2022, more Nigerian banks have either reduced the transaction limit for international transactions or completely shut them down as the CBN has attempted to stem the country's rising inflation. 

But alternatives, particularly virtual dollar cards, have emerged, with many Nigerians needing ways to pay for international transactions. Here are a few of these options. 

Disclaimer: All options on this list are recommendations and do not serve as endorsements. Ensure you do your research before using any of them. 

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Payday

A screenshot of the Payday website - virtual dollar card

In 2021, fintech startup, Payday, announced that it had closed a pre-seed round of $1 million a few months after it started operations. The self-styled Pan-African startup provides a means for Africans within and outside the continent to send and receive money. 

By providing virtual accounts domiciled in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States, its users can receive payments like locals, regardless of location. Users can also create a virtual dollar card that allows them to make purchases of up to $25,000 monthly. Getting the card is free, but users must be verified. 

Changera

Changera website
Changera's website

As the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has placed limits on how much Nigerians can transact, many have turned to cryptocurrencies to enable them to bypass these restrictions. Crypto startup, Bitmama built Changera in 2021 for this purpose. 

Providing a virtual dollar card, Changera users can make online payments with the card. Other features include money transfers, currency conversion, and a virtual bank account. Unlike the other options on this list, Changera operates a freemium model for its cards. Users can choose a free plan, a freelancer plan for $50 annually, and a premium plan for $100 annually. Users on the free plan can create virtual cards but creating USD, GBP, CAD, or EUR virtual accounts is only available for users on the freelancer or premium plan. 

Chipper Cash

Chipper Cash Founders

Chipper Cash is one of the few African unicorns and was founded in 2014 by Ham Serunjogi and Maijid Moujaled. 

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Chipper Cash provides a virtual dollar card that users can use while shopping on platforms like Amazon or when paying for international subscriptions. Getting a virtual card first requires you to have a Chipper Cash account. You would also need to provide a means of identification, such as an international passport or national identity card. 

Geegpay 

A screenshot of Geegpay's website

In the past five years, there has been an explosion of Nigerians living in Nigeria and working for companies outside the continent. But while it has become easier to get these jobs, receiving remuneration has not necessarily become more straightforward. Despite the increased options for receiving money from outside the continent, that remains a challenge. 

Geegpay is a product of Raenest targeted at gig workers in Africa. Using Geegpay, gig workers can receive payments and generate invoices. They also receive a USD account and a virtual dollar card. Getting the virtual dollar card costs $2 and can only occur after a user has completed all sign-up and verification processes. You’ll be required to provide details such as your employment offer, occupation, employer’s details, proof of address, and identity, so make sure you have them on hand.

ALAT

virtual dollar card

Often referred to as Nigeria's first fully digital bank, ALAT is the fintech subsidiary of Wema Bank. Founded in 2017, ALAT provides a fully digital banking experience for its over 700,000 customers. 

Users on ALAT can create a new account in less than five minutes, enabling them to access loans and an automated savings platform. It also offers an array of cards facilitating local and international payments. Its dollar credit card and virtual dollar cards help its users make payments for subscriptions, including YouTube while paying for services on international websites. 

Eversend

Eversend website

Eversend has provided virtual cards to users since 2020, enabling them to pay for services on platforms like Aliexpress, Amazon Prime, Spotify, Skillshare, and Namecheap. Creating a virtual card on Eversend is free, but users pay a $1 monthly maintenance fee. They also have to fund the card with $1, while multiple cards can be created. Eversend virtual cards can be funded using bank transfers, mobile money, or debit/credit cards.

Zole

Zole website

Zole is a fintech app that enables users to send money using just the recipient's phone number. It also provides a virtual card that can be funded with up to $10,000. Virtual dollar cards can be gotten from the app for a fee of $2, with options such as Mastercard, Verve, and VISA available. Users can also customise certain features of the card for a personalised feel. Zole does not charge a monthly maintenance fee and the cards can be used on websites such as Amazon, Udemy, Netflix, and Coursera.

Do you occasionally make international transactions? What payment methods do you use? Share in the comments section. 

Accidental writer, covering Africa's startup landscape and its heroes. Find me on Twitter @chigo_nwokoma.
Accidental writer, covering Africa's startup landscape and its heroes. Find me on Twitter @chigo_nwokoma.
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Accidental writer, covering Africa's startup landscape and its heroes. Find me on Twitter @chigo_nwokoma.

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