Mastercard has teamed up with Mozambican financial services provider Letshego to introduce a new debit card in Mozambique, aiming to expand access to secure and globally accepted digital payment solutions.
The Letshego Debit Card is designed to support the country’s shift towards a more inclusive digital economy. With digital payment adoption estimated at just 22 per cent among adults, there remains considerable room to broaden access to trusted financial tools.
The transition from cash to digital payments is widely seen as a cornerstone of financial inclusion, offering underserved communities a gateway to formal services, verifiable credit histories, and safer money management.
According to the World Bank’s Global Findex 2025, although 79 per cent of adults worldwide now have a financial account, over a billion people remain excluded, underscoring the critical role digital payments can play in closing that gap.
The card, which leverages Mastercard’s global network, allows customers to transact safely both locally and internationally, facilitating everyday payments and greater participation in the formal financial system.
Officially launched on 6 May 2026, the debit card underscores both organisations’ commitment to advancing innovation and strengthening financial resilience. The launch also coincides with Letshego’s 15-year presence in Mozambique.
Gabriel Swanepoel, Division President for Africa at Mastercard, said: “Expanding access to secure and reliable digital payments is essential to enabling broader financial participation.
The Letshego Debit Card provides consumers with a simple, trusted way to transact, supporting greater inclusion and unlocking long-term economic opportunity.”
Carlos Nhamahango, Chief Executive Officer of Letshego Mozambique, added: “As we mark 15 years in Mozambique, this launch reflects our continued commitment to innovation and meaningful local impact.
“The Letshego Debit Card empowers customers to move beyond cash, transact with confidence, and access financial solutions that support their daily lives and future aspirations.”
By enabling secure digital transactions, the card delivers value across the payments ecosystem: enhancing consumer safety and convenience, supporting merchants through increased digital acceptance, and contributing to the ongoing development of Mozambique’s financial infrastructure.
Mastercard operates in more than 200 countries and territories. Banco Letshego is part of Letshego Africa Holdings Limited, a financial services group listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange and active in 11 African markets. In Mozambique, Letshego has held a microbank licence since 2011 and was upgraded to a commercial bank licence in 2016.
