Zimbabwe mobile money users on Econet's mobile money platform, EcoCash, will now be able to undertake international payments using a special debit card.

The move comes hardly a month after rival operator, Telecel, launched a credit card for its Telecash mobile money service that is linked to Zimswitch, the system that links banks in Zimbabwe.

Econet on Wednesday unveiled the EcoCash debit card linked to MasterCard, a development chief executive officer, Douglas Mboweni said could help do away with the problems occasioned by carrying around cash.

He said carrying around and using cash for transactions heightens the risk of robberies.

Cuthbert Tembedza, the chief executive officer for EcoCash, said the MasterCard linked debit card "links directly to the mobile wallet" and is backed up by security features such as a chip and a PIN number.”

International payments and transactions can also be made with the card.

"People will still have the choice of purchasing goods in shops using their mobile phones and cash. The debit card is an additional choice that adds convenience," he said.

The card will cost users about $2 to access and transaction fees range between 30 cents and $2.45.

Mboweni said the card helps break transaction barriers occasioned by distance while it also enables people to purchase goods on international platforms such as Amazon.

"This partnership with MasterCard brings transacting convenience not only in Zimbabwe but anywhere else in the world," he said.