Mansa Bank and THE CODE: our full review of the Ivorian digital bank (account, Mastercard, savings)

Opening a bank account in Côte d'Ivoire without queuing at a branch, getting a free Mastercard to pay online and paying no account fees: that is the promise of THE CODE, the 100% digital offer of Mansa Bank. We studied it in detail, and we use it: here is what it really offers, what it costs, its limits, and how to open an account.

Who is Mansa Bank?

Mansa Bank is a licensed Ivorian bank based in Abidjan. It obtained its licence after a favourable opinion from the WAMU Banking Commission at the end of 2018, with El-Hassan Kaba as managing director. It is neither a simple payment app nor a mobile money wallet: it is a bank, subject to banking regulation in the WAMU zone.

According to Jeune Afrique, the bank chose a lean model focused on SMEs and digital banking. THE CODE is the showcase of that choice: a bank that fits in your phone, open to the general public.

What THE CODE includes

• MANSA EXPRESS: an e-wallet, opened right after sign-up, to pay, send money to mobile money, make transfers and purchases.
• A bank account with an IBAN, provided at the last step of sign-up, to send and receive transfers within the WAMU zone.
• A free virtual Mastercard, generated automatically once your identity is validated.
• MANSA ÉPARGNE: a savings account advertised at 5% per year, with interest calculated daily and paid monthly, available once the account is fully unlocked.
• Instant transfers through the BCEAO's PI-SPI system, 24/7, between the 8 WAMU countries.

Fees: what is free, and what is not

Mansa Bank advertises a "zero-fee account for everyone": 0 CFA francs to open and 0 CFA francs per month to keep. Its FAQ details what is free:

The virtual Mastercard: what it is for

This is THE CODE's main asset. Many people in Côte d'Ivoire have no bank card accepted by international websites, or use prepaid cards that are often refused. Mansa Bank's Mastercard is linked to a real bank account in your name, and the bank says it is accepted worldwide for online payments. You can use it to:

• pay for a Google Play developer account (25 dollars), which refuses prepaid cards: see our guide Create a Google Play developer account in 2027;
• pay subscriptions: web hosting, domain names, software, AI tools, streaming;
• shop online on international websites;
• pay for ads on Google, Facebook or TikTok.

The card can be locked and unlocked from the app, 24/7. A physical card is announced at a "preferential rate" that has not been published yet.

How to open a THE CODE account

1. Download the Mansa Bank app from the Play Store or the App Store: download link.
2. Sign up with your Ivorian phone number and your identity details. The MANSA EXPRESS wallet opens immediately.
3. Enter the referral code 40BBD6 during sign-up.
4. Unlock all features from the "Profile" tab: valid ID, selfie, email address and place of residence.
5. Get your virtual Mastercard and your IBAN once your identity is validated.

No existing bank account is needed. The basic account has a limit suited to everyday use, raised after full identity verification.

Strengths and limits

Strengths: a real licensed bank; an account opened in minutes without travelling; no fees on everyday operations; a free Mastercard for international online payments; savings at 5% per year; instant transfers across WAMU.

Limits: an Ivorian phone number is required, so the offer is mainly for residents of Côte d'Ivoire; the IBAN works within the WAMU zone; prices for withdrawals, international transfers and the physical card are not shown on the website; like any virtual card, it may be refused by the rare merchants that require a physical card.

Our verdict

THE CODE delivers what it promises: a complete bank account opened from your phone, free for the essentials, with a Mastercard that finally unlocks international online payments. For an entrepreneur, freelancer or developer in Côte d'Ivoire, it is one of the simplest ways to get a card accepted by Google, web hosts and ad platforms. We recommend it, while keeping an eye on the fees of international operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mansa Bank a real bank?

Yes. Mansa Bank is a licensed Ivorian bank, approved after a favourable opinion from the WAMU Banking Commission, and subject to the zone's banking regulation.

Is the THE CODE account really free?

Opening and keeping the account, deposits, transfers to mobile money, transfers within WAMU and the virtual card are free. Prices for withdrawals, international transfers and the physical card should be checked in the app.

Does the Mansa Bank card work for Google Play?

It is a Mastercard linked to a bank account in your name, not a prepaid card, which is what Google requires. Check that online payments are enabled and that the account is funded before paying.

Can I open an account from abroad?

The sign-up requires an Ivorian phone number registered in Côte d'Ivoire, so the offer is designed for residents.

Which referral code can I use?

You can use the code 40BBD6 when you sign up in the app.

Disclosure: NEWTIV uses Mansa Bank, and 40BBD6 is our referral code. Mansa Bank pays the referrer a bonus after a referee's first transaction; it costs you nothing. This review was not commissioned by the bank. Sources: mansabank.com (THE CODE offer, FAQ), Jeune Afrique, Lejecos, checked in October 2026. Terms may change: check them in the app.