February 2025—MTN Uganda has restored its MoMo Virtual MasterCard, though no official announcement has been made yet. The service enables customers to conduct global online transactions including payments, and subscriptions.
MTN’s MoMo Virtual MasterCard, first introduced in 2018, was temporarily halted in 2022 for system updates, as confirmed by MTN customer support on X (formerly Twitter).
The MoMo Virtual MasterCard, powered by MasterCard, has been restored as part of MasterCard’s expansion into African markets, including Uganda. The service is now available through the MTN Uganda Mobile Money main menu (*165#), and users can activate the card by dialling *165*70#.
Activation is confirmed via SMS.
“….Your Virtual Card by MoMo ending in *14*3 has been successfully created. Dial *165*70# and select View Card to view your card details….”
MTN MoMo Virtual MasterCard Vs Airtel Money MasterCard Global Pay
Unlike Airtel Money’s virtual card, the MTN MoMo Virtual MasterCard can currently only be activated via USSD codes, with no clear option available on the MTN MoMo or MyMTN app.
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MTN charges a 3% fee per transaction, while Airtel charges 5% per transaction.
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MTN has a UGX 1,000 issuance fee, whereas Airtel’s virtual card is free to activate.
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MTN’s virtual card is valid for 30 days, requiring renewal every month, while Airtel’s virtual card lasts for one year.
Refunds & Withdrawals:
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MTN does not allow refunds or withdrawals back to Mobile Money.
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Airtel allows users to transfer unused funds back to Airtel Money.
Since neither service provider has a clear refund policy, it is advisable not to transact large sums of money using these virtual cards to avoid potential losses.
One downside of the MTN MoMo Virtual MasterCard is its reliance on USSD codes instead of the convenience and security of a mobile app like Airtel’s.
