Ethiopia to issue first national credit cards in July 2025 via SanuPay, OpenWay, and Oromia Bank—4M cards to boost digital finance.
Ethiopia will officially launch its first domestic credit card system by end of July 2025, in a landmark development aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to a cashless economy.
The rollout is being implemented by SanuPay, a prominent East Asian payment tech firm, in partnership with global digital banking platform OpenWay. These partners have teamed up with Oromia Bank, one of Ethiopia’s leading financial institutions, to drive the deployment nationwide.
“The cards will start rolling out in late July 2025, beginning with pilot distribution through Oromia Bank branches,” a SanuPay executive confirmed.
What’s Being Launched?
The first phase will involve:
- Distribution of 4 million debit and prepaid cards
- Introduction of a limited number of Visa/Mastercard credit cards
- Support for mobile wallet transactions, POS terminals, and 200 ATMs
This project marks a first in Ethiopia’s history, providing citizens with locally issued credit functionality and real-time transaction capability.
Driving Digital Ethiopia Forward
The launch comes under the umbrella of the government’s ambitious Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy, which seeks to increase financial inclusion, modernize public services, and empower businesses through digital infrastructure.
With this credit card system, Ethiopia aims to:
- Reduce reliance on cash
- Improve banking accessibility in rural areas
- Foster secure, traceable financial transactions
It also prepares the nation for deeper participation in regional frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its pending accession to the East African Community (EAC).
Impact on Consumers and the Economy
This is expected to be a game changer for:
- SMEs and youth entrepreneurs who need reliable digital payment solutions
- Government agencies rolling out e-services
- Urban and rural populations gaining better access to formal finance
“We are proud to contribute to Ethiopia’s digital transformation journey,” said an OpenWay spokesperson.
