5 Best Online Credit Cards in Ethiopia

As the world becomes increasingly digital, cashless transactions are becoming the norm. Credit cards, for instance, have risen in popularity in Africa. Awash Bank was the first to offer credit cards in Ethiopia in November 2022. 

Here’s everything you need to know about credit cards in Ethiopia. We’ll look at how to get a credit card in Ethiopia, the best credit card offers from various banks, and the requirements for each type. 

How To Get a Credit Card in Ethiopia

Applying for a credit card is a fairly straightforward process, provided you meet the requirements. You can apply for an online credit card or get a physical one. In both cases, these are the steps to follow:

• Choose Your Bank: Take time to look up the various banks in Ethiopia that offer credit card services. The requirements and procedures vary between banks, so you should find the most suitable one for you. 
• Meet the Eligibility Criteria: Banks have different eligibility requirements, but some, like your age, citizenship, and source of income, cut across all banks. 
• Visit Your Preferred Bank: Once you’ve determined you’re eligible for a credit card, you can visit the bank with all the necessary documents. Most banks will ask for your identification (national ID), proof of income, and proof of residence (utility bills). 
• Fill Out the Application: The bank will require you to complete an application form. Ensure all the information you provide is honest and accurate to avoid lengthy verification procedures. 
• Get Approved: The bank will take some time with procedures like assessing your credit before you’re approved for a credit card. Once approved, you’ll be issued your credit card. 

The Best Credit Cards in Ethiopia

When choosing a specific bank, it’s essential to consider factors like the purpose of the credit card, the expenses and fees charged by the bank, and any reward points and cashback offers. 

If you’re looking for the best credit or debit card in Ethiopia, here are the top five options:

1. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia 

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia is one of the longest-serving banks in the country. CBE offers over 12 types of domestic and international cards for maximum convenience. 

Here are a few examples of CBE cards:

VISA Classic Debit Card

• Maximum daily cash withdrawal - Birr 10,000
• Maximum daily fund transfer- Birr 200,000
• Maximum daily purchase/payment- Birr 500,000
• Maximum daily cash advance- 50,000

You must be a CBE account older and have an individual savings account, current account, or youth account to apply for this card.

White Label Card

• This is a contact card
• Maximum daily cash withdrawal- Birr 10,000
• Maximum daily fund transfer- Birr 200,000
• Maximum daily purchase/payment- Birr 500,000
• Maximum daily cash advance- Birr 50,000
• Expires after five years

Must be a CBE account holder (individual savings account, current account, or youth account)

VISA Classic IFB

• Contact/contactless cards
• Maximum daily cash withdrawal- Birr 10,000
• Maximum daily fund transfer- Birr 200,000
• Maximum daily purchase- Birr 500,000
• Maximum daily cash advance- Birr 50,000
• Expiry date- five years

Here are the requirements to be eligible for Visa Classic IFB:

• Must be a CBE account holder
• Wadiah Amanah (safe keeping deposit)
• Quard (current account)
• Mudharabah (profit-sharing saving account)

Visa Gold Debit Cards

• Contact/contactless cards
• Maximum ATM daily cash withdrawal- Birr 15,000
• Maximum daily fund transfer- Birr 300,000
• Maximum daily purchase- Birr 700,000
• Maximum daily cash advance- Birr 50,000
• Expires after five years

Eligibility requirements include:

• Retail/wholesale customers
• High government officials
• General managers
• Ministers
• Diplomatic corps
• Commissioners
• Directors
• Other customers (approved by the Director- Card Banking Division of the Bank). 

VISA Platinum Debit Cards

• Contact/contactless cards
• Maximum daily cash withdrawal- Birr 20,000
• Maximum daily fund transfer- Birr 400,000
• Maximum daily payment- Birr 1,000,000
• Maximum daily cash advance- Birr 50,000
• Expiry date- five years

Eligibility requirements include:

• Retail/wholesale customers
• Directors
• Ministers
• High government officials
• Diplomatic corps
• Commissioners
• General managers
• Other customers (approved by the Director- Card Banking Division of the Bank). 

These are some of the debit cards offered by CBE, all tailored to meet different needs.  You can select your preferred card based on the specific features and eligibility criteria. 

2. Awash Bank

Awash Bank is another top bank in Ethiopia that offers a wide range of banking services for convenience and simplicity. Awash makes international banking and travel easier through its product offerings. 

This financial institution is determined to simplify your way of doing business through the different types of debit and credit cards.

Awash Debit Card

The Awash Debit Card is a fast, secure, and convenient way to make payments at any POS machine. You can apply for this debit card at any Awash Bank, and once approved, the card will be linked to your Awash account. 

Features of this debit card are:

• ATM withdrawal limit- 10,000 ETB/day
• POS withdrawal limit- 10,000 ETB/day
• Seamless account-to-account transfer
• No charge when used on Awash Bank POS machine

Awash Pre-paid Card

You can also apply for this type of card if you’re looking for a convenient way to pay for goods and services or make online purchases. The card is also ideal for gifting friends and family. 

Unlike the debit card, which is linked to your Awash account, this card is loaded with cash before spending, so it’s not linked. 

Sheba Miles

This is a special co-branded debit card that you can apply for at any Awash bank branch. Some of the benefits of the card include convenience, faster payments, and the advantage of Sheba Mile privileges whenever you make purchases at Awash POS machines. 

With the Sheba Miles debit card, you may also get in-flight discounts. 

Features

• Linked to your Awash bank account
• POS withdrawal limit- 50,000 ETB/day
• ATM withdrawal limit- 10,000 ETB/day
• Free when used on Awash Bank POS machines

3. Dashen Bank

Dashen Bank offers various card services to its customers. If you’ve been wondering where to get an international debit card in Ethiopia, then Dashen is the bank for you. 

Dashen offers various VISA cards to individuals provided they have a savings account or current account at the bank. VISA cards make it easier to access your money even outside of banking hours, and you can operate multiple accounts with one card.

Here are some of the cards offered by Dashen:

Dashen American Express Gold Debit Card

With this card, you can make withdrawals at any Dashen Bank branch or ATM location. The features include:

• Daily transaction limits- ETB 100,000 per day at merchant locations
• Withdrawal limits- ETB 50,000 per day at Dashen Area Banks, ETB 30,000 per day at ATM locations
• Special offers and discounts at select merchants

To qualify for this card, you:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Must have a Dashen current account

Dashen American Express Green Debit Card

• Daily transaction limits- ETB 60,000 per day at merchant locations
• Withdrawal limits- ETB 25,000 per day at Dashen banks, ETB 15,000 per day at ATM locations
• Special offers and discounts at select merchants

Requirements include:

• Must have a Dashen Bank current account
• Must be 18 years or older

Dashen Amex International Debit Card

This card is designed for customers with foreign currency accounts at Dashen Bank. With this card, you can make transactions in other currencies at the prevailing exchange rate of the foreign country. 

4. Bank of Abyssinia

Bank of Abyssinia empowers its customers to carry their money everywhere they go with the BoA debit card. The bank offers various cards you can select based on your needs.

Habesha Classic Debit Card

• 3 years of life before expiration
• Maximum fund ceiling is the balance on the customer’s account
• Maximum daily payment limit on POS is ETB 350,000
• Maximum daily cash withdrawal limit- ETB 150,000 at branches, ETB 15,000 from ATM locations

Habesha Gold Debit Card

• 3 years before expiry
• Maximum fund ceiling is the balance on the customer’s account
• Maximum daily purchase limit on POS is ETB 350,000
• Maximum daily cash withdrawal limit- ETB 150,000 at branches, ETB 15,000 at ATM locations

5. Wegagen Bank

Wegagen Bank is another bank with a robust payment card system designed to ensure excellent services for all customers.

Agar Visa Payment Card

This is the card that Wegagen Bank customers can use to access their money 24/7 and pay for goods and services via POS terminals available at select merchants like supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. 

As a Wegagen customer, you can choose the card that works best from their selection:

• Agar Card: classic debit card
• Nigat Card: personalized women's card
• Amana Card: specialized, interest-free banking card