Nigerian fintech Cardtonic has launched a new Platinum virtual card that enables users to make contactless in-store and online payments globally, marking a significant expansion of how virtual cards are used across Africa.
The new card is tokenized and NFC-enabled, allowing users to pay via Apple Pay and Google Pay at physical point-of-sale (POS) terminals, while still supporting international online transactions. The launch aims to bridge the long-standing gap between virtual cards—traditionally limited to online use—and everyday physical spending.
Bridging Virtual and Physical Payments
Virtual dollar cards have become a popular solution for Africans paying for international services such as streaming subscriptions, software tools, and e-commerce platforms. However, their use has largely been restricted to online transactions, forcing users to rely on separate debit cards for offline payments.
Cardtonic’s Platinum virtual card addresses this limitation by supporting both online and in-store payments, allowing users in Nigeria and Ghana to fund the card in local currency while paying in either USD or local denominations.
Once created, the card can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay and used for tap-to-pay transactions at supported POS terminals, eliminating the need to carry a physical card.
How the Platinum Virtual Card Works
Users can instantly create a Visa or Mastercard Platinum virtual card via the Cardtonic app or website for a one-time fee of $5. After adding the card to a supported digital wallet, payments can be completed by unlocking the device and tapping it on a POS terminal.
The system automatically verifies transactions using biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, ensuring both speed and security during checkout.
This functionality allows users to handle a wider range of payments—from international subscriptions to groceries and retail purchases—using a single virtual card.
Enhanced Security Through Tokenization
A core feature of the Platinum virtual card is its tokenization technology, which replaces sensitive card details with a unique, one-time token during transactions. This means merchants never receive or store the actual card number.
As a result, even if a merchant’s system is compromised, the exposed token cannot be reused. Additionally, card details are not stored on the user’s device, reducing the risk of fraud if a phone is lost or stolen.
Biometric verification further restricts unauthorized access, making contactless payments both faster and more secure than traditional card transactions.
Expanding Payment Flexibility for African Users
Cardtonic says the Platinum virtual card is designed to meet the evolving needs of African consumers who increasingly require flexible, cross-border payment tools. While its regular virtual dollar cards—priced at $1.50—remain available for online payments, the Platinum card targets users who want a single solution for both digital and physical transactions.
By combining contactless payments, multi-currency support, and enhanced security, the new card reflects a broader shift in Africa’s fintech ecosystem toward more versatile, globally compatible payment infrastructure.
A Step Toward Everyday Contactless Payments
The introduction of NFC-enabled virtual cards highlights growing demand for convenient, mobile-first payment experiences across the continent. As digital wallets and contactless infrastructure gain wider adoption, products like Cardtonic’s Platinum virtual card could play a key role in normalizing tap-to-pay transactions for everyday use.
For African consumers navigating both local and international payments, the move represents another step toward reducing friction in how money is spent—online and offline.
