Credit and debit cards at Angolan banks
In Angola, the most widely used card is the Multicaixa debit card on the EMIS network, while Visa or Mastercard credit cards issued by BAI, BFA or Banco BIC remain reserved for domiciled customers with confirmed incomes.
Multicaixa, the national debit card
Run by EMIS, the Multicaixa card works at cash machines and payment terminals across the country. It is not a credit card: each purchase is debited from the kwanza account, unless the bank has authorised an overdraft.
Visa and Mastercard cards from the banks
The large banks issue Visa or Mastercard credit cards linked to the salary account. The bank sets a limit based on the domiciled income and the customer's history, then debits the monthly statement in full or in part.
Credit limit and repayment
The cardholder can pay the full statement balance interest-free or pay a minimum, with the remainder accruing interest. As with a personal loan in Angola, the outstanding balance is reported to the CIRC and weighs on future applications.
Using the card outside Angola and foreign currency
Payments abroad are converted from kwanzas and subject to BNA exchange rules. During foreign currency shortages, several banks cut international limits, so travellers heading to Lisbon or Johannesburg should check their limit before departure.
Prepaid cards for travel
Prepaid foreign currency cards, topped up from the account, are an alternative for studies or travel. They avoid debt, but loading and conversion fees should be compared with those charged on a credit card.
Online payments and Multicaixa Express
The Multicaixa Express app allows payments and transfers from a phone, including some public services. For purchases on international websites such as foreign online shops, however, you need a Visa or Mastercard card enabled for e-commerce.
Annual fees and charges on Angolan cards
An Angolan credit card may carry an annual fee, cash withdrawal charges, currency conversion fees and late payment penalties. Fees are subject to 14% IVA, which raises the real cost for the cardholder.
Withdrawing cash with a credit card
Taking out cash at a Luanda ATM with a credit card usually costs more than a purchase, with an immediate fee and interest from the day of withdrawal. The Multicaixa debit card is the better option for cash.
Fraud, cloning and fake text messages
Card cloning at some cash machines and messages pretending to come from a bank have been reported in Luanda. No bank asks for your PIN or the code received by text message over the phone or by messaging app.
Who gets a credit card
Banks reserve these cards for employees in stable jobs, civil servants and staff of large companies, as well as executives. Informal traders and young people without a contract almost never obtain one, lacking any verifiable income.
The card within Angolan consumer credit
Credit cards account for only a small share of household credit, which is dominated by salary loans. Our complete guide to credit in Angola places this product among the other options available to borrowers.
The case of neighbouring Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, cards are often linked to dollar accounts, as our page on the credit card in Zimbabwe shows. In Angola, by contrast, the kwanza remains the reference currency for locally issued cards.
Getting a credit card from an Angolan bank
- Open a current account and have your salary paid into it for the period the bank requires.
- Ask for the card's price list: annual fee, rate on the balance, currency and withdrawal fees.
- Fill in the application at a branch with your ID, NIF and recent proof of income.
- Choose full or partial repayment, debited automatically from the salary account.
- Activate the card, set your PIN and check the domestic and international limits.
Charges to check on an Angolan card
| Charge | Benchmark | What makes it vary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Depends on the card tier | Classic, Gold or Platinum depending on the bank |
| Interest on balance carried over | Rate set by the bank | Amount not repaid by the due date |
| Cash withdrawal on credit | Fee per withdrawal | Domestic or foreign cash machine |
| Payment in foreign currency | Conversion fee | Daily exchange rate and card network |
| IVA on fees | 14% | Added to the fees charged |
What the bank asks for before issuing a credit card
- Bilhete de Identidade or cartão de residente
- NIF
- Latest recibos de vencimento or income statement
- Statements for the account receiving the salary
- Signed card application form
Bad habits with a card in Angola
- Paying only the minimum each month, leaving the balance to generate interest that builds up over years.
- Travelling abroad without checking the international limit, then being blocked when paying for something in Lisbon or Johannesburg.
- Giving your PIN or the code received by text message to a fake bank adviser who contacted you by phone.
- Using the credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM, even though such withdrawals carry fees and immediate interest.
Questions about Visa and Multicaixa cards
Is the Multicaixa card a credit card?
No. Multicaixa is a debit card on the EMIS network that debits the kwanza account directly. Only an overdraft authorised by the bank lets you spend beyond the available balance on the account.
Can an Angolan credit card be used in Portugal?
Yes, if the Visa or Mastercard card is enabled for international use and the limit allows it. Check the conversion fees and any restrictions linked to the availability of foreign currency before you travel.
Does a credit card appear in the CIRC?
Yes, the limit granted and the balance used are credit commitments reported by the bank. A late payment on the card can therefore be visible whenever you apply for a loan later on.
What should I do about a suspicious transaction on my card in Angola?
Block the card immediately through your bank's helpline or app, then file a written complaint. If the answer is not satisfactory, the customer can refer the matter to the Banco Nacional de Angola.