Online shopping has taken off in Uganda and has become part of everyday life for many Ugandans, with platforms like Jumia Uganda and global giants like Amazon offering endless options for buyers. Yet, very few Ugandans have access to banking, meaning that many miss out on shopping online because they don’t have access to bank-issued debit/credit cards, which are accepted as primary payment methods on most international sites.
To address this challenge, Airtel Uganda, in partnership with Mastercard, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), and Network International, has launched a prepaid virtual card known as the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard (also called the Airtel Money Global Pay Card). This card is designed to make online payments accessible to every Ugandan. It allows you to shop globally using your Airtel Money wallet as a funding source, without the need for a physical bank card.
In this guide, I will walk you through what the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is, how to create it, and the step-by-step process of shopping online using the card. Whether you want to buy items from e-commerce sites like Amazon or pay for services like Netflix, the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is here to simplify the process for you.
What is the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
The Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is a prepaid digital card issued in partnership with Mastercard, Diamond Trust Bank, and Network International. It enables Airtel Money users in Uganda to make online payments in any currency accepted by Mastercard, using the funds in their Airtel Money wallet. The card operates as a virtual (non-physical) Mastercard, and transactions are processed globally.
Unlike traditional bank cards, the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is not directly tied to your Airtel Money wallet. It maintains a separate balance, which can be loaded with funds from your Airtel Money account. This separation provides an added layer of control, allowing you to fund the card as needed for specific online purchases, without affecting your main wallet balance.
The Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard works on any site, app, or platform that accepts Mastercard payments. The card is free to create and is valid for one year. It incurs a 5% fee on every transaction made with it. Loading and withdrawing funds to and from this card is free of charge.
How to Create the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
Creating an Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is a quick process if you are an Airtel Uganda subscriber with an active Airtel Money account. There are two ways to do it. Via USSD or the MyAirtel App. Both take just a few minutes. Airtel doesn’t charge a card generation fee. It is free to create, but you will need funds in your wallet to load the card later if you want to start using it right away. Your account must be registered. Here is how you can get yours, step by step:
Method 1: Using USSD Code
- Dial *185# on your Airtel phone. This pulls up the Airtel Money menu.
- Choose option 7 for “Financial Services.”
- Select option 9 for “Airtel Money Mastercard.”
- Pick option 1 to “Get a Card.”
- Enter your Airtel Money PIN to confirm. There’s no creation fee here.
- Wait for an SMS with a link to your card details. It comes fast—usually seconds.
- Click the link and enter the one-time password (OTP) sent to your phone.
- See your card details—number, expiry date, CVV—and save them somewhere safe, like a notebook or a locked phone app.
Method 2: Using MyAirtel App
- Download the MyAirtel App from the Play Store or App Store if you don’t have it.
- Open the app and go to the “Airtel Money” tab.
- Enter your Airtel Money PIN to access the dashboard.
- Find your wallet balance and tap the Mastercard logo next to it.
- Re-enter your PIN and hit “Proceed” to create the card. No fee applies here either.
- View your card details—number, expiry date and CVV right in the app. You will also get an SMS confirmation.
- Copy or screenshot the details and keep them secure for shopping.
How to Shop Online in Uganda with Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard – Step by Step Guide
Now that you have your Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard, it’s time to start shopping online. The card can be used to make purchases on any website or app that accepts Mastercard, including international platforms like AliExpress, Amazon, and Netflix. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to shop online with the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard:
Step 1: Load Funds onto Your Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard
Since the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is not directly tied to your Airtel Money wallet, you will need to load funds onto the card before using it for online payments. Here’s how to do it:
USSD Method:
- Dial *185# to access the Airtel Money menu.
- Select the “Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard” option.
- Choose “Load Card” and enter the desired amount to transfer from your Airtel Money wallet to your virtual card.
- Confirm the transaction and your funds will be transferred instantly.
MyAirtel App Method:
- Open the MyAirtel app.
- Navigate to the Airtel Money section.
- Select “Virtual Mastercard” and then “Load Card”.
- Enter the amount you want to load onto your card.
- Confirm the transaction, and your balance will be updated instantly.
Step 2: Choose Your Online Store
Next, choose the website or platform where you want to shop. You can use the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard for a variety of online activities, such as:
- Shopping on AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Jumia, Dombelo, and other e-commerce websites.
- Paying for services like Netflix, Spotify, DSTv, and Google Play.
- Making purchases on online betting sites or paying for online taxi services like Uber, Bolt, SafeBoda, Lyf, etc.
Step 3: Add Items to Your Cart
Browse and select what you want. On Amazon, you might pick a book and click “Add to Cart,” then “Proceed to Checkout.” On Netflix, choose your plan and hit “Start Membership.”
Step 4: Enter Your Card Details
When you’re ready to check out, select the Mastercard payment option on the website or app. You’ll be prompted to enter your 16-digit card number, CVV, and expiry date, which you received when you created your Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard. Simply enter the details as instructed.
Step 5: Check Your Wallet Balance
Before confirming, ensure your card has enough funds. Loading funds from your Airtel Money wallet is free, but every transaction has a 5% fee on top of the purchase price. So, a UGX 10,000 item needs UGX 10,500 loaded. If paying in another currency, like USD on Amazon, factor in currency conversion fees too—check prevailing rates and load extra to cover it. Dial *185# to check your wallet, fund the card via the app or USSD, and withdraw any excess back to Mobile Money for free if needed.
Step 5: Confirm Pay and Complete Your Purchase
Once you’ve entered your card details and reviewed your wallet balance, proceed to complete the transaction. After a successful payment, you will receive a confirmation of your purchase, and the funds will be deducted from your Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard balance.
Step 6: Wait for Confirmation
After payment, you will see an order confirmation on-screen—like on Jumia—or your service activates instantly, like with Netflix. You will also get an email or app notification with details: amount paid, item, and delivery estimate if it’s physical goods.
Step 7: Track Your Order
For physical items, use the tracking number from the store (e.g., AliExpress provides one). For digital buys like subscriptions, just log in and start using the service—no waiting needed.
Where to Use the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
The Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which means millions of online merchants and services worldwide, plus many local Ugandan platforms. It’s a prepaid card funded from your Airtel Money wallet, valid for a year, and perfect for digital payments in UGX or other currencies (with conversion fees). Based on its functionality, here is a list of some of the sites, apps, services, and platforms where you can use it:
E-Commerce and Online Shopping
You can buy physical goods—clothes, electronics, home items—online, with delivery often available in Uganda.
- Amazon: Global giant for books, gadgets, and more. Ugandans can order with shipping options.
- eBay: Auctions and direct buys, from tech to collectibles.
- AliExpress: Affordable goods with shipping to Uganda.
- Alibaba: Bulk purchases, good for businesses or resellers.
- Jumia Uganda: Local e-commerce for phones, fashion, and appliances.
- Kikuubo Online: Ugandan site for groceries and household items.
- Dombelo Uganda: Online store for electronics and accessories.
Streaming and Entertainment Services
Pay for movies, music, or gaming subscriptions using your Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard. These are digital services, so no shipping—just instant access.
- Netflix: Movies and TV shows, popular in Uganda.
- Spotify: Music streaming with global and local tracks.
- DStv: Satellite TV packages via their online portal.
- GOtv: Affordable TV subscriptions, payable online.
- YouTube Premium: Ad-free videos and music.
- Showmax: African-focused streaming, available in Uganda.
- iROKOtv: Nollywood movies, accessible locally.
Travel and Booking Services
Book flights, hotels, or rentals online. Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard handles payments in UGX or converts to other currencies automatically (with fees).
- Booking.com: Hotels and rentals worldwide, including Uganda.
- Expedia: Flights and vacation packages.
- Uganda Airlines: National carrier’s site for flight bookings.
- RwandAir: Regional flights, payable online.
- Jumia Travel: Local travel deals for hotels and flights.
- Trivago: Hotel price comparisons, usable in Uganda.
- Airbnb: Rentals, including Ugandan listings.
Digital Stores and App Purchases
Buy apps, games, or in-app content on mobile devices. The Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard links to your account for seamless payments.
- Google Play Store: Android apps, games, and books.
- Apple App Store: iOS apps and subscriptions.
- Steam: PC games and software.
- Microsoft Store: Windows apps and Xbox content.
- Airtel App Store: Local Airtel service for app downloads.
- MTN App Store: MTN’s platform for app purchases.
- SafeBoda: Ugandan ride-hailing app with in-app payments.
Bill Payments and Utilities
Settle bills or top up services online. Some Ugandan providers accept Mastercard via payment gateways.
- Umeme Yaka: Prepaid electricity payments online.
- National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC): Water bill payments via their portal.
- DStv Uganda: Local TV subscription renewals.
- MTN Uganda: Airtime and data bundles.
- Airtel Uganda: Mobile top-ups and bundles.
- PayWay Uganda: Multi-service bill payments.
- PesaPal: Payment aggregator for utilities and services.
Financial Services and Money Transfers
Use Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard for online banking, transfers, or wallet funding. These platforms often support Ugandan users.
- PayPal: Global payments, linkable to Mastercard in Uganda.
- Chipper Cash: Cross-border transfers, popular locally.
- Eversend: Ugandan fintech for money transfers.
- Flutterwave (Barter): Payment platform with virtual card support.
- Western Union: Online money transfers.
- Stanbic Bank Uganda: Online banking payments.
- Centenary Bank Uganda: Internet banking transactions.
Education and Online Learning
Pay for courses, certifications, or e-books. Many platforms cater to Ugandan learners.
- Udemy: Online courses in tech, business, and more.
- Coursera: University-backed certifications.
- edX: Free and paid courses from global institutions.
- Khan Academy: Donation-based learning, accepts Mastercard.
- Makerere University e-Learning: Local course payments.
- Uganda Martyrs University Portal: Fee payments online.
- Kyambogo University Payments: Tuition via Mastercard.
Tips to Safely and Securely Shop Online with Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard
Using the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard, also known as the Airtel Money Global Pay Card, to shop online in Uganda is a convenient way to access global and local platforms. However, keeping your transactions secure requires some practical steps. Here are tips to protect your money and card details.
- Guard Your Airtel Money PIN: Your five-digit PIN unlocks your wallet, which funds the card. Never share it. For example, if someone calls claiming to be from Airtel asking for your PIN to “fix an issue,” hang up—it’s a scam. Report it to Airtel at *185#.
- Store Card Details Safely: After generating your card via *185# or the MyAirtel App, you get a 16-digit number, CVV, and expiry date. Don’t leave them in an open SMS or on a shared computer. Write them in a notebook kept safely at home or save them in a locked app. A friend once lost her phone without a lock—someone used her card details before she could cancel it.
- Shop on Trusted Sites Only: Stick to websites with “https://” and a padlock in the URL bar. Fake sites can grab your card info. For instance, use “https://www.jumia.ug” for Jumia Uganda, not a random lookalike like “jumia-offers.com.” Avoid deals from unknown sellers on social media too.
- Load Just Enough Funds: Since the card has its own balance, fund it with only what you need—like UGX 10,500 for a UGX 10,000 buy, covering the 5% fee. Loading is free, so don’t keep extra sitting there. If a hacker gets in, they’re limited to what’s loaded.
- Check Currency Conversion Costs: The wallet uses UGX, but the card pays in any Mastercard-supported currency, with automatic conversion. Before paying in USD on Amazon, check rates online and load enough to cover conversion fees. A colleague underfunded a $5 Netflix plan because he forgot the extra cost—transaction failed.
- Use Your Own Device: Shop from your phone or laptop, not a cyber café’s system. Public devices might have spyware. Someone I know used a café PC for AliExpress, and odd charges popped up later—likely from keylogging.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Don’t use free Wi-Fi at a restaurant to enter card details—it’s easy for hackers to snoop. Stick to your Airtel mobile data. A friend learned this when his Netflix payment got intercepted on a hotel network.
- Monitor Card Balance and Transactions: After shopping, check your card’s balance in the MyAirtel App or via 1857# (“My Card Details”). Look for unexpected drops. If you buy from Jumia Uganda and see extra deductions, call Airtel at *185# to investigate.
- Cancel If Suspicious: If you think your details are compromised—like after a phishing email—dial *185*7#, pick “Delete Card,” and confirm with your PIN. It’s free to make a new one. A neighbor did this after clicking a fake Amazon link and stayed safe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shopping Online in Uganda with Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard
Shopping online with the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard opens up plenty of possibilities for Ugandans, but it also raises questions. Here are answers to common queries about using this card:
- What is the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
It’s a prepaid digital debit card, also called the Airtel Money Global Pay Card, issued by Airtel Uganda with Mastercard. You fund it from your Airtel Money wallet, and it works anywhere Mastercard is accepted online. - How do I get an Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
Dial *185# and pick “Financial Services,” then “Airtel Money Mastercard,” and “Get a Card.” Or use the MyAirtel App under the “Airtel Money” tab. It’s free to create—just enter your PIN. - How long is the card valid?
It lasts one year from creation, unlike MTN’s 30-day card. You only need to make a new one annually. - Is the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard linked to my Airtel Money wallet?
No, the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard operates separately from your Airtel Money wallet. However, you can load funds onto the card from your Airtel Money wallet.
- How do I use it to shop online?
At checkout on a site like Jumia Uganda, select “Mastercard,” enter your card number, expiry date, and CVV, then confirm. Funds come from the card’s balance, with a 5% fee per transaction. - Where can I use the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
Anywhere Mastercard is accepted—think Amazon, Netflix, or local sites like Kikuubo Online and PayWay Uganda. - Is it secure?
Yes, it uses Mastercard’s encryption, plus two-factor authentication and SMS alerts for every transaction. Keep your PIN and card details private to stay safe. - How do I fund the card?
Load money from your Airtel Money wallet via *185# or the app—it’s free. The card keeps a separate balance, not tied directly to your wallet. - Can I withdraw cash from the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
No, the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is a digital-only card and cannot be used to withdraw cash. However, you can transfer funds from the card back into your Airtel Money wallet free of charge.
- What’s the transaction fee?
Airtel charges 5% per transaction. A UGX 10,000 buy costs UGX 10,500 from your card balance. - Can I pay in other currencies?
Yes, it supports any Mastercard currency, converting from UGX automatically. Add extra for conversion fees—like $5 on Spotify might need UGX 19,000, depending on rates. - How do I check my card balance?
Use the MyAirtel App or *185*7# (“My Card Details”) to see what’s loaded. It’s separate from your wallet balance. - What if I forget my card details?
Dial *185*7#, choose “My Card Details,” and enter the OTP sent to your phone to retrieve them via SMS. - Can I withdraw funds from the card?
Yes, move money back to your Airtel Money wallet for free via the app or USSD—no cost. - Does it work for subscriptions?
Yes, like Netflix or DStv, since it’s valid for a year. Load enough for each payment, including fees. - What if a payment fails?
Check your card balance or expiry. If it’s low, load more from your wallet. If expired, make a new card. - What happens if I lose my Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard?
If you lose your card or suspect any fraudulent activity, you can block or suspend the card immediately. Simply contact Airtel customer support or use the MyAirtel app to block the card and prevent unauthorized transactions.
- Can I use it in stores?
No, it’s online-only—physical shops need a tangible card.
Wrapping Up
The Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is an excellent solution for Ugandans who want to access global online shopping platforms without the need for a bank account. It is a prepaid card that can be funded directly from your Airtel Money wallet. It offers a simple, free, and secure way to make online payments, whether you’re shopping for clothes, paying for subscriptions, or buying electronics. The card is valid for 12 months and is free to create. It handles payments in UGX and other currencies with quick and automatic conversion. From grabbing deals on AliExpress to settling a DStv bill, the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard has you covered, backed by security features like SMS alerts and two-factor authentication. If you’re in Uganda and want to shop online without the hassle of traditional banking, the Airtel Money Virtual Mastercard is your ticket—just download the MyAirtel app or dial *185# to get started. It’s practical, it works, and it’s ready when you are.
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