OFS review

The card carries a monthly fee of XOF 1,100, and each top-up is charged 1% of top-up, minimum 1000 XOF. The card is prepaid, which is the prepaid format, so you top the balance up before spending rather than drawing on a bank balance. Budget for both the monthly charge and each refill.

OFS charges 2.2% on currency conversion, above the site median of 1%. That puts the card near the back of the field on this measure, at position 173 of 237 brands. Spend in the local currency where you can and treat other currencies as a cost.

The card is aimed at kids, which is the kids audience, so it works as a spending tool for a child. It is a prepaid Visa card on the visa network, and its feature list, travel, covers travel. Adults who want a full current account with a balance will want a different product.

OWO is run by OWO FINANCIAL SERVICES SARL, which has been trading since 2018 and is based in Benin. The same company issues the card, so the provider and the card are one operation rather than a partner of a larger platform. Support for the card comes from the same team.

Travel sits in the feature list, travel, and the card runs on visa, so it can be used outside Benin. The catch is conversion: spending in another currency is charged 2.2%. Load the card in the local currency before you leave to keep that cost down.

OWO Financial Services charges XOF 1,100 each month for the prepaid card. Monzo Flex charges £0 a month, Wise charges £0 and Bitpanda charges €0. Holding the card therefore costs more than the price of an account at any of the three.

The cost score is 2.6 and the overall score is 2.6, so cost is the weak point. That tracks with a XOF 1,100 monthly fee, a 1% of top-up, minimum 1000 XOF charge on each top-up and 2.2% on currency conversion, set against cards that carry no monthly charge.