steven maseka 
Dashen Bank has teamed up with Mastercard to launch the ‘Dashen Mastercard,’ a multi-currency international prepaid card designed for travelers.
The announcement was unveiled at a press conference today, offering both plastic and virtual options, providing customers with flexibility and convenience for their international transactions.
The Dashen Mastercard features a dual-interface plastic card, allowing customers to make both contact and contactless transactions at ATMs and POS machines. It also enables cash withdrawals from ATMs, payments on POS terminals, and offers users the freedom to make online purchases at any merchant website worldwide where Mastercard is accepted.
The Dashen Mastercard is reloadable, allowing users to load funds onto the card as needed at forex bureaus. The card also supports multiple currencies, enabling customers to have separate wallet accounts in different currency types, thus eliminating the need for a separate foreign currency account.
To ensure security, the Dashen Mastercard incorporates an additional layer of protection by providing customers with a One-Time Password (OTP) for every transaction made on e-commerce platforms.
“The Dashen Mastercard empowers travelers with the freedom to manage their finances seamlessly while exploring the world,” said Asfaw Alemu, CEO of Dashen Bank.
In addition to the card launch,Dashen Bank and Mastercard have also introduced the Mastercard Payment Gateway System, allowing Ethiopian merchants with mobile applications or websites to accept international payments online. Customers from around the world can place online orders and reservations and make payments to Ethiopian merchants integrated with the Mastercard Payment Gateway System using their cards.
“Our partnership with Dashen Bank marks a significant milestone in our efforts to join forces with financial institutions in Ethiopia by leveraging the power of our products and solutions to bring more people into the digital economy,” said Shehryar Ali, Country Manager for East Africa at Mastercard.
The Dashen Mastercard is available to travelers over the age of 18. Interested individuals can obtain the card by visiting any forex bureau and providing essential travel documents such as a passport, visa, and flight ticket that are required during the application process.
