By Alfred ZachariaAbsa Bank Tanzania has launched the Absa Infinite Card, a new, top-tier
product offering unmatched privileges and personalized services for
high-net-worth customers as it reinforces its position in the premium banking
segment.
The
unveiling comes as the bank marks 10 years of leadership in credit card
innovation in Tanzania, a legacy it now aims to expand through greater public
engagement and financial inclusion.
The
launch, held on April 25, 2025 in Dar es Salaam, brought together financial
stakeholders, regulators, and key customers.
Officiating
the event was Ms. Lucy Charles-Shaidi, Director of National Payment Systems at
the Bank of Tanzania, representing the Governor of the central bank as Guest of
Honor.
Available
in both debit and credit formats and issued in Tanzanian Shillings and U.S.
Dollars, the Absa Infinite Card is designed to meet the demands of Tanzania’s
most discerning clientele.
It offers
a suite of exclusive benefits including global travel insurance, access to over
1,200 airport lounges, dedicated concierge services, buyer protection, event
ticket cancellation insurance, and extended warranties on purchases.
“This card
is more than a payment tool — it’s an experience,” said Obedi Laiser, Managing
Director of Absa Bank Tanzania.
According
to him, the Absa Infinite Card is designed to serve customers who expect
excellence and value distinction from everyday transactions to international
travel, the card provides the convenience, security, and lifestyle privileges
they deserve.
“While
today is about celebrating a premium banking milestone, it’s also about driving
change in Tanzania’s financial habits,” he said.
“Credit
card usage in the country remains low, and we believe the Absa Infinite Card
will help change that. We are investing heavily in public awareness campaigns
to educate Tanzanians on the security, flexibility, and financial benefits
credit cards offer,” he added
He is
confident that the Infinite Card will resonate with the emerging middle and
upper class who seek convenience, global access, and trusted financial tools.
“This card
is a statement of prestige, but more importantly, a secure and valuable
financial product,” he explained
The launch highlights the bank’s dual commitment to provide elite services while supporting broader adoption of formal financial products.
It also
aligns with Absa’s strategy of deepening digital and card-based transactions
across the country.
Ms. Lucy Charles-Shaidi
reinforced that while debit cards have become relatively common, credit card
services remain underutilized across Tanzania’s banking population.
“The
credit card product is still new to many Tanzanians. We (BoT) urge commercial
banks to invest more in innovation, customer education, and creative outreach
strategies to encourage adoption and improve usage,” she said.
She
praised Absa for its continuous efforts to modernize the banking experience,
saying the central bank values partnerships that drive both technological
advancement and financial inclusion.
Absa’s
journey began in 2015 when it became the first bank in Tanzania to introduce a
true credit card with a revolving credit facility linked to the global Visa
platform.
That
innovation sparked a new era in personal banking and positioned Absa as a
leader in consumer finance.
Ndabu
Swere, Absa’s Director of Retail Banking, emphasized the Infinite Card’s unique
value proposition: “Other banks may offer similar features, but our strength
lies in our people and our service. With Infinite, customers gain not just a
card, but a dedicated team and a banking experience designed around them.”
As it
celebrates a decade of impact and looks toward the future, Absa Bank Tanzania
continues to deliver on its promise of Empowering Africa’s tomorrow,
together, one story at a time.