Blogger Beginner's Guide (BBG): How to get a Visa Card for Online Shopping in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and anywhere in Africa

If you have been on the internet before, its truth infallible that you have seen some nice stuff online but you had no way of buying it for yourself or your loved ones.

Well this is true for most African countries especially mine. If you are reading this then i suppose you are a culprit too. It should not be that way.

Actually when i was still ignorant about what am going to share with you today, i used to consider online shopping and Visa cards for the "Rich". That's all history because I now possess over 7 visa cards excluding a MasterCard.

Maybe you maybe asking yourself, what is the difference?

Visa and MasterCard are networks that process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with the cards. With that in mind, Visa and MasterCard probably have fewer differences than you think.

But today i will focus on how to acquire a Visa Card for Online Shopping in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and anywhere in Africa. You may actually need it to travel, pay for online courses or withdrawing your funds conveniently.

The process is quite simpler than you think. Like i said, I have multiple cards but the one i found really helpful and more convenient was the UBA Africard. The other banks have a lot of strict requirements which make over rate the card for no good reason.

So lets get started.

My assumption is that most of the African countries have UBA (United Bank of Africa). If you dont, then it's quite unfortunate that i cannot help.

First

You will need:

At least 25,000/- Ugx (about $10 depending on the UBA in your country)

Passport size photograph

A national ID/Passport

Work ID or Introductory letter from your University, employer, or local council or a bank statement of your account in another bank or of someone else you know in UBA.

That's all.

Second

Head out to your nearest UBA branch and let them know that you want to get a UBA Africard. One thing i loved about UBA is their great customer care.

The main UBA branches in Kampala are:

Speke House, Head Office - Jinja road (Main Branch)
Kansanga Branch Opp Kampala International University
William Street on Hotel Triangle Second Floor

The main UBA branches in Nairobi are:

Wetlands Branch - Apollo Centre, Westlands, Nairobi (Main Branch)
Upper Hill Branch - NHIF Building, Upper Hill, Nairobi
Industrial Area Branch - Industrial Area, Enterprise Road, Nairobi

The main branch of UBA in Tanzania is at UBA House, Tanzaniatta Avenue - Dar-es-Salaam

To find out the main UBA branches in the different states of Nigeria, click here.

Once there, you will be assisted to fill in a few forms. When you are done, you will be given a white envelope with both the card and the manual of how to use the card. The card has on it inscribed at the back (lower bottom) the account number which normally is a 10 digit number.

This account will be activated there and then so that you are able to make your initial deposit.

NOTE: You don't need to change you money into dollars to open your account.

Once the deposit is on your account, you will receive an instant phone notification of the transaction. You do not need a separate form to get that service like they do in the other banks.

You card is now loaded and ready for use.

Third:

You will be led back to the issuer of the card to help you set up your UBA online transaction portal so that you can monitor your money while at home.

Benefits of a UBA Africard

It is cheap and easy to get
The requirements are attainable.
You do not to already have an account in UBA to be entitled to the card.
You get instant mobile SMS notifications every time someone deposits on your account or withdraws from the ATM.
You can use it with most payment processors such as PayPal, Payza, Amazon, etc.
It can double as account too where you can save your money.
You can use it in any country you travel to.

Caution:

You cannot apply for two cards. Even if you came after months, the system will detect your details and reject your application. You do not want to face that humiliation. its really embarrassing.
Do not attempt to use the card with out loading money first via the bank. Your card maybe banned for good by the company you are trying to pay. (it happened to me and i had to go through the process of getting a new one.)
Do not share it with "big spenders" at home because once the visa system notices that other unregistered users are using your card, it may be flagged and you may need to explain in an email that you are actually not involved in any fishy business.

The things you need to know about your UBA Africard before you start using are: