Kenya has unveiled TouristTap, a digital payment platform, to ease transactions for visitors to national parks and other tourist attractions.

Speaking on Wednesday during the launch in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano described the innovation as a timely solution that will enhance convenience, transparency and efficiency in the sector.

Miano said tourism remains a key pillar of the economy and noted that the sector contributed approximately Ksh500 billion to the gross domestic product in 2025 and supports nearly three million jobs directly and indirectly.

“Today, we take an important step towards a more connected, innovative and globally competitive tourism sector,” she observed, adding that TouristTap will enable seamless, secure and cashless transactions for both international and domestic visitors.

She said that the platform addresses long-standing payment challenges faced by tourists, particularly in informal settings where card payments are often not accepted.

“Every touch point of a visitor’s journey, from airport to accommodation, from park entry to local markets will become smoother, more modern and user-friendly,” she explained.

The cabinet secretary further highlighted that the solution aligns with the government’s broader digital transformation agenda under President William Ruto, stressing that seamless payments are now a basic expectation for global travellers.

“Platforms such as TouristTap empower local businesses and integrate them into a more efficient and formalized economic system,” Miano stated.

Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, described the platform as a “game-changer” that bridges the gap between global finance and local enterprises. Ombam explained that the innovation targets micro and small traders who have traditionally been excluded from card-based payment systems.

“This is an innovation for the small traders, for the curio sellers and the informal markets. It brings what we call financial democracy,” she remarked.

She pointed out that TouristTap resolves a critical friction point in tourism where visitors are unable to transact with small businesses due to payment limitations.

“That headache that tourists experience when they cannot use their cards has now been sorted out,” she added.

The principal secretary further observed that the platform will enable the government to capture more accurate data on tourist spending, particularly in the informal sector – thereby informing policy and economic planning.

“This innovation will boost our economy significantly and position Kenya as a modern, tech-driven economy,” she stated, pledging government support for its adoption.

Craft Silicon Chief Executive Officer, Kamal Budhabhatti, demonstrated how the platform works, explaining that tourists can use smartphones to make payments by simply tapping their bank cards.

Budhabhatti explained that the application converts a mobile phone into a payment device, which allows users to pay via mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa or directly to bank accounts.

“A tourist will download the app on their phone, tap their card on the device and complete transactions instantly,” he demonstrated.

He noted that the solution eliminates the need for traditional point-of-sale machines, which are often unavailable in smaller businesses, while ensuring merchants receive payments instantly without delays or additional charges.

“Tourists often struggle because their cards are not accepted everywhere. This solution removes that barrier and allows them to spend more easily,” he observed.

Budhabhatti added that increased tourist spending will directly benefit the local economy, especially small-scale traders who form a significant part of the tourism value chain.

“When tourists are able to spend more conveniently, we are helping the local economy to grow,” he stated.

On the financial sector’s role, KCB General Manager David Nyamu underlined the importance of partnerships in delivering seamless payment solutions. Mr Nyamu explained that the collaboration between financial institutions and technology providers is key in building a reliable and inclusive payment ecosystem.

“Our role is to provide the financial infrastructure that ensures every transaction is secure, efficient and backed by a trusted banking partner,” he noted.

He observed that simplifying payment systems enhances customer experience and enables businesses to serve more clients efficiently.

“When payment acceptance is simple and reliable, businesses are better placed to grow and compete,” he remarked.

The TouristTap platform is expected to support a wide range of transactions that include payments for park entry, accommodation, transport services and purchases at local markets, thereby creating a unified cashless ecosystem across the tourism sector.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that the initiative reflects a growing collaboration between government, private sector players, financial institutions and global partners in positioning Kenya as a leading smart tourism destination.

As Kenya continues to embrace digital transformation, the launch of TouristTap signals a shift towards a more inclusive and efficient tourism economy, where both visitors and local enterprises can transact seamlessly.

With barriers to payments gradually being eliminated, the country is poised to enhance visitor experience while unlocking greater value across its tourism value chain.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Nicholas Ochieng