On July 18, 2024, the Public Treasury of Côte d’Ivoire made a significant stride in digitalizing payments with the launch of the TrésorMoney Visa prepaid card. This initiative carried out in partnership with Visa and Ecobank, offers an innovative and accessible solution to simplify financial transactions.
Universal and secure card
The TrésorMoney Visa card stands out for its versatility and global reach, being usable in over 200 countries. At the inauguration, Ismahill Diaby, Vice President and General Manager of Visa for West and Central Africa, emphasized that Visa’s international network allows the card to be accepted by millions of merchants worldwide. Additionally, the card simplifies receiving and managing funds, providing an alternative to traditional banking systems.
This solution enables online purchases, in-store payments, and ATM withdrawals, without requiring a bank account. It operates with Visa’s advanced fraud protection, ensuring maximum security for transactions. Diaby emphasized the robustness of Visa’s security measures, assuring users of a safe financial environment.
Obtaining the card is easy, either via the TrésorMoney mobile app or at authorized points of sale. A valid ID is enough to acquire the physical card at a one-time cost of 6,500 FCFA (around 10 USD), while the virtual version is free. Users can reload their cards directly from their TrésorMoney account.
Strategic partnership for financial inclusion
Ecobank plays a key role in the development of this payment solution. Paul-Harry Aithnard, Managing Director of Ecobank Côte d’Ivoire, praised the initiative for boosting financial inclusion by simplifying access to digital payments. With its Bank Identification Number (BIN) license, Ecobank helps promote the digitalization of financial services across the country.
The prepaid card benefits various segments of the population. Scholarship students, whether at home or abroad, can now receive their allowances quickly and securely. It also streamlines financial management for civil servants’ mission expenses. Additionally, merchants and informal sector workers gain easier access to online public administration services,while also enjoying the advantages of Visa’s global network.
Comprehensive and evolving platform
The TrésorMoney Visa card is part of a broader effort to modernize public services. The Public Treasury aims to be a key player in the digitalization of the government, offering innovative, transparent, and accessible solutions for all. This initiative is expected to not only enhance public service efficiency but also foster social and economic inclusion.
Developed since 2021 with support from Business Management Invest-World Financial Services (BMI-WFS), TrésorMoney continues to expand with this launch. The initial platform, TrésorPay-TrésorMoney, already allowed citizens to manage their payments to public administration. The introduction of the prepaid card marks a majoradvancement, further facilitating access to digital services for the unbanked population.
