Imagine this: You’re scrolling through Amazon and spot that perfect pair of shoes, or perhaps you’re trying to pay for Netflix but get stuck at the payment page asking for a card. For years, many Ugandans faced this frustrating roadblock—wanting to shop online but lacking the means to pay. The good news? Those days are over, thanks to virtual cards from our telecom companies.
In 2025, both MTN and Airtel have revolutionized online shopping for Ugandans through their virtual card solutions. These digital payment tools have opened doors to global online shopping without requiring traditional bank accounts. Whether you want to order products from international websites, subscribe to streaming services, or pay for online courses, these virtual cards make it all possible with just a few taps on your phone.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about using both MTN’s Virtual Card by MoMo and Airtel’s Money Global Pay Card for your online shopping needs. We’ll walk through the setup process, show you exactly how to make payments, explain the fees involved, and share essential security tips to keep your money safe. By the end of this article, you’ll be confidently shopping online like never before.
What Are These Virtual Cards?
Before diving into how to use them, let’s understand what these virtual cards actually are:
MTN Virtual Card by MoMo
This is MTN Uganda’s digital Mastercard linked directly to your Mobile Money wallet. Relaunched in 2025 after a three-year break, it’s essentially a digital version of a debit card that exists only in electronic form. It comes with all the standard card details—16-digit card number, expiry date, and CVV security code—but without the physical plastic. Each card is valid for 30 days from creation and costs UGX 1,000 to generate.
Airtel Money Global Pay Card
Similarly, this is Airtel Uganda’s virtual Mastercard solution that connects to your Airtel Money account. Rebranded in 2025 (previously known as Airtel Mastercard), it functions identically to traditional cards for online payments but exists only digitally. The card remains valid for 12 months, significantly longer than MTN’s offering.
Key similarities:
- Digital-only format: Neither card has a physical version you can hold
- Mastercard-powered: Both work anywhere Mastercard is accepted online
- Mobile money integration: Both cards link to and draw funds from your mobile money accounts
- Global acceptance: Both cards work on international websites and platforms
- Separate wallet system: Both operate as separate wallets from your main mobile money account
Despite their differences in fees and validity periods, both cards serve the same essential purpose: bringing online shopping capabilities to mobile money users.
How to shop online with Virtual Card by MoMo (MTN Virtual Card) or Airtel Money Global Pay Card – Step by Step process
The process of shopping online using either virtual card follows these general steps:
1. Prepare your card
Before shopping, ensure your virtual card is active and funded:
- For MTN: Dial *165*70# to check your card balance
- For Airtel: Dial *185*7# and select “AM Global Pay Card” then “Check Balance”
If you haven’t created a card yet:
- For MTN: Dial *165*70# and follow prompts to create a virtual card (costs UGX 1,000)
- For Airtel: Dial *185*7# and follow prompts to create your Global Pay Card
2. Browse and select products
Visit your preferred online store (like Amazon, Jumia, or Netflix) and add the items or subscription you want to your cart. Once ready, proceed to checkout.
3. Select payment method
At checkout, look for the “Pay with card” or “Credit/Debit card” option. Click on this choice when prompted for payment method. Most sites will show the Mastercard and Visa logos—select Mastercard (both virtual cards are Mastercard-powered).
4. Enter your card details
You’ll be directed to a secure payment page where you need to fill in:
- Card number: The 16-digit number from your virtual card
- Cardholder name: Enter your registered name exactly as it appears on your mobile money account
- Expiry date: The month/year when your card expires (format: MM/YY)
- CVV/Security code: The 3-digit code from your virtual card
- Billing address: You can use your actual address in Uganda or any valid address
5. Verify and confirm payment
Review the total amount (remembering that MTN charges 3% and Airtel charges 5% transaction fees on top of your purchase). Click “Pay” or “Confirm” to complete your transaction.
6. Check for confirmation
You should receive:
- A confirmation message on the website
- An SMS notification about the transaction from your telecom provider
- A receipt via email (if you provided one during checkout)
7. Save the transaction details
For future reference, save or take a screenshot of your order confirmation and transaction reference numbers.
Remember, when calculating how much to top up your card before shopping, always add the transaction fee percentage to avoid payment failures due to insufficient funds.
Fees & Limits
Understanding the costs and limitations of these virtual cards will help you plan your online shopping better:
Virtual Card By MoMo (MTN):
- Creation fee: UGX 1,000 per card
- Transaction fee: 3% of transaction amount
- Validity period: 30 days only
- Top-up fee: Free (no charge to move money from MoMo to virtual card)
- Minimum top-up: No official minimum
- Maximum balance: UGX 5,000,000 (depends on your MoMo tier)
- Card replacement: After 30 days, you must create a new card for another UGX 1,000
Airtel Money Global Pay Card:
- Creation fee: Free
- Transaction fee: 5% of transaction amount
- Validity period: 12 months
- Top-up fee: Free (no charge to move money from Airtel Money to virtual card)
- Minimum top-up: UGX 2,000
- Maximum balance: UGX 5,000,000 (subject to your Airtel Money limits)
- Card replacement: Free after 12 months validity expires
Important Notes on Fees:
- The transaction fees (3% for MTN, 5% for Airtel) apply each time you make a purchase, not when topping up
- Some online platforms may add their own processing fees, so check the final amount before confirming
- International purchases might incur currency conversion differences
- Both cards have daily, weekly, and monthly transaction limits based on your mobile money tier level
For example, if you’re buying a Netflix subscription worth UGX 35,000:
- With MTN Virtual Card: You will need UGX 36,050 (UGX 35,000 + 3% fee of UGX 1,050)
- With Airtel Global Pay Card: You will need UGX 36,750 (UGX 35,000 + 5% fee of UGX 1,750)
Where to use these cards?
Both virtual cards are accepted globally wherever Mastercard is accepted online. Here are popular categories and specific platforms where you can use them:
E-commerce and Shopping:
- Global giants: Amazon, eBay, AliExpress, Alibaba, ASOS, Shein
- Local platforms: Jumia Uganda, Kikuubo Online, Rocket Health, SafeBoda
- Brand stores: Nike, Apple, Samsung, Microsoft Store
- Specialty stores: Etsy (crafts), Wayfair (furniture), iHerb (health)
Streaming and Entertainment:
- Video streaming: Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube Premium
- Music services: Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Boomplay, Tidal
- TV subscriptions: DStv, GoTV, StarTimes (online payment)
- Gaming: Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Mobile game purchases
Travel and Accommodation:
- Airlines: Uganda Airlines, Kenya Airways, RwandAir, Emirates, international carriers
- Booking sites: Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, Hotels.com, Trivago
- Local travel: Jumia Travel, Little Cab, Bolt, Uber, Faras, SafeCar
Bill Payments:
- Utilities: UEDCL Light (electricity), National Water (NWSC), Garbage collection
- Media: DStv, GoTV, Azam TV, StarTimes
- Internet: Roke Telkom, Zuku, MTN Home Internet, Smile, Liquid, CanalBox, Savannah
Education and Professional Development:
- Online learning: Coursera, Udemy, edX, Skillshare, LinkedIn Learning
- Language apps: Duolingo Premium, Babbel, Rosetta Stone
- Professional tools: Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva Pro
- Research databases: JSTOR, Academic journals, Research Gate Premium
Digital Services and Software:
- Productivity: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Dropbox Premium
- Design tools: Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva Pro, CorelDRAW
- Business services: Mailchimp, Zoom Pro, QuickBooks, Website hosting
- Security: Antivirus software, VPN services, Password managers
Social Media and Communication:
- Premium subscriptions: Twitter Blue, LinkedIn Premium
- Dating apps: Tinder Gold, Bumble Premium, Hinge Plus
- Communication: Zoom Pro, Skype Credit, Discord Nitro
Health and Fitness:
- Fitness apps: SWEAT, Nike Training Club Premium, MyFitnessPal Premium
- Mental health: Headspace, Calm, BetterHelp, Talkspace
- Health monitoring: Premium features on health tracking apps
Safety Tips for Both Cards
Keeping your virtual card details secure is crucial to avoid fraud and unauthorized transactions:
1. Protect Your Card Information
- Never share your full card details (number, expiry date, and CVV) with anyone, including people claiming to be from MTN or Airtel
- Don’t store your card details on public computers or shared devices
- Take screenshots of your card details and store them securely in a password-protected folder
2. Smart Shopping Habits
- Only enter card details on secure websites (look for the padlock icon in the address bar and “https://” in the URL)
- Use trusted and well-known online stores rather than unfamiliar websites
- Always log out of shopping accounts after completing purchases, especially on shared devices
- Keep track of all your transactions by saving confirmation emails and messages
3. Account Management
- For MTN: Consider deleting your virtual card after making purchases since you can always create a new one (the UGX 1,000 fee might be worth the security)
- For Airtel: Use the “Freeze Card” option when not actively shopping online, and “Unfreeze” only when needed
- Only keep the amount you need for specific purchases on your virtual card
- Regularly check your transaction history to spot any unauthorized purchases
-
Technical Security
- Keep your phone secured with a strong PIN, pattern, or biometric authentication
- Install trusted antivirus software on your smartphone
- Avoid using public WiFi networks when making online purchases
- Update your phone’s operating system and apps regularly
-
In Case of Problems
- Save customer service numbers (MTN: 100, Airtel: 100) for immediate reporting of suspicious transactions
- Report any unauthorized transaction immediately to your telecom provider
- If you suspect your card has been compromised, delete it (MTN) or freeze it (Airtel) immediately
- Keep screenshots of payment confirmations as evidence if disputes arise
-
General Caution
- Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true—they often are
- Research sellers and read reviews before making purchases, especially on international sites
- Calculate the total cost including shipping, import duties, and card transaction fees before confirming purchases
- Start with smaller purchases when trying a new website before committing to larger ones
Conclusion
Virtual cards from MTN and Airtel have truly transformed online shopping for Ugandans. Gone are the days when lacking a bank account meant being locked out of the digital marketplace. Now, with just your mobile phone and a few simple steps, you can access global online stores, enjoy streaming services, learn on international educational platforms, and much more.
While MTN’s Virtual Card by MoMo offers a lower transaction fee (3%) but shorter validity (30 days), Airtel’s Money Global Pay Card provides longer validity (12 months) with a slightly higher fee (5%). Both serve the same fundamental purpose, bridging the gap between mobile money and global online commerce.
Remember to follow the safety guidelines we have outlined, be mindful of the fees, and always ensure your card has sufficient funds before making purchases. Start with smaller transactions as you build confidence, and soon you will be navigating the online shopping world like a pro.
Whether you choose MTN or Airtel’s solution, these virtual cards represent a significant step forward in financial inclusion for Ugandans. They have removed barriers to participation in the global digital economy and opened up a world of possibilities, all through the mobile phone already in your pocket.
So what are you waiting for? Create your virtual card today, fund it appropriately, and join millions of Ugandans who are already enjoying the convenience of shopping from anywhere in the world, right from the comfort of their homes.
