Premier Abiy hails launch of Ethiopia’s first-ever wallet-based Virtual Visa Card

Addis Ababa, August 20, 2024 (FBC) – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has lauded the launch of Ethiopia’s first-ever wallet-based Virtual Visa Card and enhanced remittance services via Visa Direct and telebirr Remit.

In a statement published on his social media page this morning, the Prime Minister stressed that the launch of the new digital money transfer service is a significant milestone in the bid to realize Digital Ethiopia strategy.

“A significant milestone in our Digital Ethiopia journey has been achieved with Ethio telecom, in partnership with Visa Inc., launching the country’s first wallet-based Virtual Visa Card and enhanced remittance services via Visa Direct and telebirr Remit,” he noted.

He reminded that Visa Direct facilitates easy money transfers to Ethiopia from over 190 countries using a telebirr virtual card number.

On Monday, Ethio telecom launched new international digital money transfer services in collaboration with VISA Company, world leader in digital payment technology.

The two sides have also signed strategic agreement to provide VISA Direct and tele birr remit services that will transform the existing international Hawala money transfer.

In that regard, PM Abiy further reminded that this partnership supports over 47.55 million telebirr users and advances Ethiopia’s digital financial services and he congratulated Ethio telecom for the milestone embarked on.