Published: 03 June 2025

ZB Financial Holdings (ZBFH) has launched a new range of Mastercard products as part of its ongoing digital transformation strategy aimed at expanding financial inclusion and giving Zimbabwean customers greater access to international transactions.

The launch, which took place last week, marks a significant milestone in the partnership between ZBFH and global payments giant Mastercard. It introduces a set of innovative card products tailored to the needs of different market segments, including students, informal traders, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), and corporate executives.

Speaking to NewsDay Business, Elisha Chibvuri, ZBFH's Chief Executive Officer for the banking cluster, said the new offerings reflect the growing integration between physical and digital banking. "We now have solutions that speak to every segment, from a student to a world-travelling executive," said Chibvuri. "It positions us to support cross-border trade, travel, and e-commerce with secure, flexible products."

Among the highlights of the launch is the introduction of a multi-currency prepaid card that is specifically aimed at the unbanked, youth, informal traders, and network marketers. The card currently supports transactions in US dollars and South African rand, with plans to add a Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) wallet in the near future. ZBFH also introduced a mass debit card, premium gold and private banking debit cards, and a commercial credit card—the first of its kind in the Zimbabwean market. The commercial credit card is expected to serve large organisations, especially in logistics and transport, by allowing them to centrally manage staff travel expenses, set spending limits, and track expenditure in real time.

ZBFH's Executive Head of Digital Banking, Hope Marere, said the partnership with Mastercard also enables the bank to accept international Visa and Mastercard cards across its entire infrastructure. "Our POS machines now accept international cards, and our Mastercard e-commerce payment gateway allows Zimbabwean merchants to participate fully in global online trade," she said.

In addition to facilitating payments, the cards offer customers access to exclusive Mastercard benefits such as airport lounge access, discounted hotel bookings, flight deals, and offers from global platforms like Booking.com and Priceless.com.

The Mastercard partnership is part of ZBFH's broader push to enhance customer convenience, digitise services, and support economic formalisation, particularly in underserved and informal sectors of the economy.
- online

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