Co-op Bank is preparing to launch Visa Accept in Kenya, which will enable traders to convert their mobile phones into card terminals. This initiative is expected to facilitate card payments among traders, but it will not replace the existing M-Pesa mobile payment system.

Craft Silicon has launched TouristTap, a payment solution developed in partnership with KCB Bank and Visa, aimed at Kenya's tourism sector. Launched in September 2025, the service turns smartphones into payment devices, addressing a challenge commonly faced by visitors to Kenya, according to Kachwanya. The product enables contactless payments without dedicated card terminals, targeting merchants and service providers in the tourism industry.

Kenya has solidified its status as a leading digital financial market, bolstered by widespread mobile money adoption and a growing cashless payment ecosystem. The mobile merchant payments sector has seen consistent growth, primarily fueled by Safaricom's Lipa na M-Pesa platform, which has significantly enhanced mobile retail transaction volumes.

Visa is enhancing its digital payments ecosystem by introducing new features for Visa Accept and Visa Direct, which allow small businesses to use smartphones for receiving payments and sending real-time payouts without the need for additional payment hardware. These updates are specifically designed to support micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in emerging markets, according to TechTrends KE.

Kenya’s tourism sector has long relied on separate payment systems for hotels and safari lodges while smaller traders lagged behind, according to Kachwanya. The article says smartphones are increasingly being used as payment devices, narrowing the gap between formal tourism businesses and informal merchants. It frames the shift as extending digital payments beyond older setups toward mobile tools used across lodges and local trade.

According to CIO Africa, Africa's payments landscape is evolving into a new phase that goes beyond mere digital transactions, focusing on the development of intelligent and interconnected financial ecosystems. This shift indicates a significant transformation in how financial services are delivered and utilized across the continent.