Are you a Nigerian looking for a virtual dollar card to satisfy your online shopping needs? Then, you’re on the right page. In this comprehensive article, we’ll share the best virtual dollar card providers in Nigeria currently working on foreign sites.
Online shopping has become popular in Nigeria, with more people purchasing on international e-commerce sites. However, shopping on foreign sites became more challenging when the CBN (Central Bank Of Nigeria) banned all Naira credit and debit cards abroad in 2015.
This ban led to the rise of virtual dollar cards for online shopping in Nigeria. Over the years, the dollar-denominated virtual debit or credit card industry has faced many challenges, making Nigerians continuously sort out the best platform to get a virtual dollar card. Challenges include high fees, poor exchange rates, and limited acceptance by international merchants.
What Is A Virtual Dollar Card?
A virtual dollar card is a digital card denominated in US dollars that can be used to make online and international transactions. It is similar to a physical debit card, but it is not issued as a physical plastic card. Instead, it is created and managed online, and you can use it to shop, pay bills, and make transfers just like you would with a physical card.
Benefits Of Using a Virtual Dollar Card in Nigeria:
- Convenience: You can access and manage your virtual card from anywhere in the world with an internet connection, making it a convenient option for international purchases or online payments.
- Security: Virtual dollar cards offer several security features, such as single-use card numbers and transaction limits, to protect your funds from fraud.
- Efficiency: Virtual dollar cards eliminate the need to exchange currencies, saving you money on transaction fees and exchange rate fluctuations.
- Flexibility: You can use a virtual dollar card to make purchases on websites and apps that accept Visa or Mastercard, providing a wide range of merchants to choose from.
- Budgeting: Virtual cards allow you to load specific amounts for each transaction. This helps you stick to a budget when shopping online.
- Access to Foreign Stores: Virtual dollar cards enable you to shop on international sites that may not accept Naira cards. The card is seen as a dollar card.
Where Can I Use a Virtual Dollar Card?
Virtual dollar cards can be used to make online payments for a variety of goods and services, including:
- E-commerce purchases: Shop for items from international retailers and online stores.
- Subscription services: Pay for subscriptions to streaming services, such as Netflix, Spotify, and Hulu.
- Online gaming: Purchase in-game items and subscriptions for online games.
- International travel: Book flights, hotels, and other travel-related expenses.
How To Get a Virtual Dollar Card in Nigeria:
Various fintech companies and financial institutions offer virtual dollar cards in Nigeria. To get a virtual dollar card, you can use any of the platforms listed below.
Chipper Cash
Chipper Cash is one of the best fintech startups that offer Virtual Naira and dollar cards while it aims to “chip away” at the financial barriers people face when sending funds internationally.
Whether you want to send funds abroad for tuition, business, family support, or pay for flights, hotel bookings, and other services like streaming, web hosting, or ads using their cards, Chipper Cash helps you get it done fast, easily, and cheaply.
Key Features of Chipper Cash
- Instant no-fee transfers between Chipper Cash accounts
- Free transfers between Chipper and local bank/mobile money accounts
- Discounted airtime top-up and cashback rewards
- Bill payments with no extra fees
- Referral program to earn bonus cash
- Accept payments for business at low rates
- Shop online with Chipper virtual cards
- Card unloading (Withdraw funds from your virtual card)
- Stock Investment
With the app’s recent update, Chipper Cash introduced USD accounts to let users receive USD funds directly into their accounts. You can now receive payments directly into your Chipper Cash dollar card from supported platforms such as Paypal, Revolut, Airbnb, and more.
How To Get a Chipper Cash Virtual Dollar Card?
- Download and install the Chipper Cash app from Google’s Playstore or Appstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on the card tab and claim your card.
- Choose your USD card and tap Create card.
Your USD card is now ready to be used online. However, Note: Chipper Cash charges a 3 USD fee for a USD card creation and ₦1,000 for a Naira card. Additionally, Chipper Cash charges you a ₦500 non-refundable fee for every failed transaction and may cancel your card if you get too many failed attempts, which can be a bummer. We know this from experience, and many of our friends have reported the same.
Although we made some payments using their card a few days ago and got multiple failed transactions and a warning message that the card would be charged for failed transactions, we weren’t actually charged. We don’t know if this is because we just created a new card or something else entirely.
Overall, it is a great platform; its customer support is great if you ever run into any issues using it.
Social Cash
Social Cash is an innovative mobile app that seamlessly combines popular social media platforms with financial services and utilities. With SocialCash, users can access Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), make payments, transfer money, buy airtime & data, pay bills, and more, all within one convenient app.
By integrating social networking, messaging, payments, and everyday tasks, SocialCash provides an easy and secure way for users to connect, transact, and get things done. The app redefines how we socialize and manage our financial lives on the go.
Key Features of Social Cash
- Seamlessly switch between Facebook, Instagram, and X interfaces within the app.
- Download social media videos quickly without draining phone memory
- Send and receive money instantly to anyone fee-free
- Transfer funds between bank accounts and mobile wallets
- Purchase discounted airtime & data bundles for yourself or as gifts
- Pay utility bills and other expenses with no extra fees
- Earn cash bonuses for signing up and referrals
- Shop online using SocialCash virtual cards
- Card unloading (Withdraw funds from your virtual card)
Social Cash prioritizes user privacy and data security. The app safeguards all data collected and complies fully with privacy laws. The app also has strict third-party app policies, ensuring user safety on integrated social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. No personal data is collected or stored when accessing these networks via SocialCash.
With its innovative fusion of social media, messaging, payments, and shopping, Social Cash brings convenience and security to everyday mobile tasks. Download the app to connect, transact, and manage your financial life with ease.
How To Get a Social Cash Virtual Dollar Card?
- Download and install the Social Cash app from Google’s Playstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on Dollar Card under the quick action section.
- Choose between a Visa USD and MasterCard USD card.
- Tap on create new card.
Like Chipper Cash, Social Cash charges a creation fee of 5 USD, but you don’t get to pay a fee for every failed transaction or worry about your card being cancelled. However, ensure that you aren’t using it for illegal activities, as these will be reason enough to have your account suspended.
Additionally, Social Cash offers competitive Forex rates, and they have good customer support. If you ever find Chipper Cash tiring, Social Cash is definitely your next stop.
Grey Finance
Grey is a financial technology company that makes it easier for freelancers, remote workers, and businesses in Africa to send and receive foreign payments without restrictions.
On the Grey platform, users can instantly open free USD, EUR, and GBP accounts, receive funds from over 80 countries, convert to local African currencies, and send money around the continent.
Key Features of Grey
- Free multi-currency virtual accounts
- Receive payments from 80+ countries
- No fees or overseas restrictions
- Instant currency conversion
- Transfer funds across Africa
- Virtual cards for shopping online
- Supporting the gig economy and remote work
Grey aims to make cross-border transactions seamless for Africa’s growing freelance and remote work sector. By enabling affordable, convenient payments and remittances, Grey helps users live, work, and thrive in the modern digital economy.
With banking partners worldwide and regulatory approval in multiple jurisdictions, Grey is committed to simplifying global interconnectivity for African individuals and businesses. They also have good customer support to help you with any issue you encounter using their platform.
How To Get a Grey Finance Virtual Dollar Card?
- Download and install the Grey Finance app from Google’s Playstore or Appstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on the Virtual Card option and follow with create virtual card.
- Accept the one-time fee agreement and tap Create My Virtual card.
- That’s it.
Grey Finance has a stricter card policy for failed transactions. While some of you may want to fund your card with the exact amount needed for payment, given the volatile forex rate, your calculations may sometimes be off, resulting in a failed transaction.
Grey Finance will freeze your card if it fails due to insufficient funds on the same transaction twice, and if the card is reactivated and fails the same transaction again, it will be terminated permanently. So tread carefully.
Note: Grey Finance charges a 4 USD card creation fee and an additional 1 USD initial card top-up.
Geegpay Africa
Geegpay is similar to Grey, enabling African freelancers and remote workers to get paid faster and easier by clients worldwide. With over 80,000 users across the continent, Geegpay simplifies invoicing, payments, and earnings for the global remote workforce.
By providing multi-currency accounts, virtual cards, and seamless billing options, Geegpay empowers Africans to work and earn locally while collaborating with international businesses and clients.
Key Features of Geegpay
- Free global accounts in USD, GBP, EUR
- Get paid faster by overseas clients
- Low-cost currency conversion
- Virtual cards to spend worldwide
- Create professional invoices
- Automate billing and get paid quickly
- There are no hidden fees on transactions
With Geegpay, African freelancers can tokenize their skills and know-how to earn a global income while avoiding complex foreign payments. By providing the financial tools to work seamlessly worldwide, Geegpay unlocks new professional opportunities.
How To Get a Geegpay Virtual Dollar Card?
- Download and install the Geegpay app from Google’s Playstore or Appstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on Cards option and follow with Create new virtual card.
- Fill in your preferred card Alias and select the card brand you want (Visa or MasterCard).
- Enter the amount you want to add to the card and tap submit.
- Your card will be processed and ready in a few seconds
- That’s it.
Geegpay charges a 3 USD card creation fee for its virtual MasterCard and 2 USD for its Visa card. Additionally, you will have to pay 0.1% in charges anytime you make a transaction.
Cardify
Cardify Africa is a digital wallet platform that enables users to easily spend across different currency formats. The app allows seamless transactions between fiat money, cryptocurrency, and virtual debit cards.
Unlike other platforms where you can fund your virtual card with Naira, Cardify has gone a step further to allow you to fund your cards using stablecoins (cryptocurrencies). By integrating multiple wallets and payment methods, Cardify provides flexibility and convenience for all your purchasing needs.
Key Features of Cardify
- Deposit into fiat and crypto wallets
- Frictionless spending between wallets
- Currency conversion within the ecosystem
- Virtual debit cards for payments
- Flexible wallet management
- Seamless transactions across formats
- Simplified spending experience
Cardify also gives you a free USD wallet you can use to receive funds from any USD spending country. You can also pay bills using the platform.
How To Get a Cardify Virtual Dollar Card?
- Download and install the Cardify app from Google’s Playstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on the Cards option; you’ll have a basic dollar card (MasterCard) and a standard dollar card (Visa).
- Choose your preferred option and tap on proceed.
- Enter the amount you want to add to the card and tap submit.
- Your virtual card will now be ready in a few seconds
Cardify offers one of the best customer support, has a one-time card creation of 2 USD for its virtual MasterCard and Visa card, and It doesn’t impose any fee for failed transactions.
Bitnob
Bitnob is another great digital wallet and cross-border solution that lets you, payments, crypto services, and more in one platform. With over 8 African countries supported, Bitnob enables affordable remittances, online shopping, bill pay, gift cards, and bitcoin investing.
By combining financial services with emerging technologies, Bitnob empowers users with control, flexibility, and limitless potential for their money.
Key Features of Bitnob
- Send and receive money globally
- Virtual dollar card for online payments
- Buy, sell, and auto-save in bitcoin
- Stablecoin wallets and transactions
- Purchase airtime, data & utility bills
- Access eGift cards from top brands
- User support and community engagement
Bitnob lets you manage your money across currencies, borders, and financial realms. With just one account, send remittances abroad, make online purchases, invest in crypto, give the gift of airtime, and more.
How To Get Bitnob Virtual Dollar Card?
- Download and install the Cardify app from Google’s Playstore or Appstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on the Cards option; you’ll have a basic dollar card (MasterCard) and a standard dollar card (Visa).
- Choose your preferred option and tap on proceed.
- Customize your card (enter an Alias and choose a colour for your card)
- Enter the amount you want to add to the card and tap submit.
- Your virtual card will now be ready in a few seconds
Bitnob has a one-time card creation of $2 for its virtual MasterCard and Visa card.
Experience infinite financial possibilities when you make Bitnob your all-in-one money app. Join today and embark on your journey towards financial freedom and flexibility.
Alat By Wema
ALAT is an innovative digital bank designed to give Nigerians a new level of convenience and control over their finances. As Nigeria’s first fully digital bank, ALAT offers modern banking services without the hassle of traditional banks.
By harnessing the power of technology, ALAT simplifies banking with user-friendly digital tools that help you maximize your money. ALAT lets you take charge of your money like never before. With real-time oversight and automation, save, spend and transfer easily.
Key Features of ALAT
- Account opening is completely online
- Schedule transfers and bill payments
- Automated savings goals
- Free nationwide card delivery
- Card control from your phone
- Compatible with all Nigerian bank cards
- No hidden fees
- Virtual Naira and dollar cards for online payments
- Card unloading
Alat is also planning on adding a credit card feature to its app, which would be really interesting to see. You can also create a utility card on the app that will be used solely for utility bills, which is kind of cool knowing you don’t need to have one card for everything.
How To Get Alat Virtual Dollar Card?
- Download and install the Alat app from Google’s Playstore or Appstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on the Cards option.
- In the Cards section, tap on virtual cards.
- Choose dollar virtual card and follow with create dollar card.
- Choose a card name and enter your PIN.
- Accept T&C and tap on create a Dollar Card.
- Your virtual card will now created and ready for use.
Alat charges a one-time card creation fee of 3 USD. However, when writing this article, their virtual dollar card service is not working. They will probably get it up and running soon; however, you can use the Alat virtual Naira card for international transactions.
These are the top 6 virtual dollar card providers that actually work in Nigeria. They have a good customer experience and forex rates to help you with your online needs. If you’re also looking for virtual Naira cards that work for USD payments, check the list below.
Virtual Naira Cards That Work For International Payments
Gomoney
Gomoney is one of the best digital banks in Nigeria that offers virtual card services. Currently, Gomoney only offers virtual naira card services, which seems to work fine on most online platforms we have tried, local and international.
If you want to pay for your streaming subscriptions like Netflix and Spotify, or maybe you want to pay for ads (Facebook and Instagram), Gomoney can easily help you get it done. Additionally, you can pay bills and save; however, you can’t get a loan from the platform as they do not offer such a service at the moment.
How To Create a Virtual Naira Card On Gomoney?
- Download and install the Gomoney app from Google’s Playstore or Appstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on the Cards option.
- In the Cards section, tap on virtual cards.
- Choose a card
- Choose a card name and enter your PIN.
Gomoney will charge you ₦1000 card creation fee.
Kuda
Kuda is another great digital bank in Nigeria that lets you create a virtual Naira card that you can use for international and local payments. Like Alat, you can pay bills, save, invest in stock and also borrow from Kuda.
How To Create a Virtual Naira Card On Gomoney?
- Download and install the Gomoney app from Google’s Playstore or Appstore.
- Sign up for an account and complete the verification process.
- Fund your account.
- Tap on the Cards.
- Select Get card at the top right corner.
- Choose your currency.
- Now, tap on Get A Virtual Card.
You will be charged a ₦1000 card creation fee.
Safety And Precautions For Your Virtual Cards
As with any online payment method, it is important to use virtual dollar cards safely:
- Avoid sharing your card details with anyone.
- Enable two-factor authentication to protect your account.
- Monitor your transactions regularly for any unauthorized activity.
- Report any suspicious activity to the issuing company immediately.
By following these guidelines, you can reap the benefits of virtual dollar cards while minimizing the risk of fraud.
Conclusion
Virtual dollar cards can help you escape the difficulties and limitations of making payments using your local bank card. And if you spend a lot for business or personal needs, having one of these virtual dollar card providers at your disposal would be great.
You may also like: 12 Best Music Streaming Apps For Android And iOS.
Although the CBN has lifted the ban on USD transaction, a lot of bank operators have reported that most Naira Cards still fails to make payments on foreign sites.
That’s it on our list of the best virtual dollar cards in Nigeria. If you find this post informative, kindly use any of the buttons below to share. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
