Kenya’s government has endorsed TouristTap, a cashless payments platform designed to allow international tourists to transact directly with local service providers using NFC-enabled mobile devices, at a launch event in Nairobi on April 15, Capital Business reported on April 15.
The platform was developed through a collaboration between Craft Silicon, a Nairobi-based financial technology company, KCB Bank Group and global payments company Visa, and has received government approval to operate at tourism touchpoints across the country, from national parks and hotels to coastal resorts and local attractions. Travel And Tour World
Tourists download the TouristTap app, enter a local till number, paybill or mobile number, and complete a payment with a tap of their NFC-enabled phone and a PIN. Transactions are processed instantly, removing the need for cash or currency exchange. The Star
The app supports M-Pesa, Airtel Money, business payments and online payments. Craft Silicon Chief Executive Officer Kamal Budhabhatti received the patent certificate for the technology one day before the launch. Techish
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano described the platform as a “timely and transformative solution” aligned with efforts to modernise the sector. Kenya’s tourism industry generated approximately KSh500 billion in 2025 and supports nearly three million jobs.
Pilot programmes are under way in Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia, with the Kenyan model positioned as a replicable blueprint for how African destinations can connect informal operators to international visitors.
Kamal Budhabhatti, Group Chief Executive Officer of Craft Silicon, said: “By enabling secure, cashless payments across the tourism ecosystem, we are not only enhancing the visitor experience but also supporting financial inclusion, transparency, and operational efficiency for service providers.” — Capital Business, April 15, 2026