New App Set to End Tourists’ Payment Headaches in Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya — September 25, 2025

A new mobile payment solution called TouristTap, launched by Kenyan fintech firm Craft Silicon, promises to simplify everyday transactions for international visitors by enabling contactless payments from foreign cards directly into local systems. 

The Latest

• TouristTap turns any NFC-enabled smartphone into a point-of-sale terminal, allowing international visitors to tap their Visa or Mastercard at local vendors. 

• When activated, the app routes payments to mobile money wallets, bank accounts or merchant tills, eliminating the need for cash, card machines or foreign exchange just for small purchases. 

• The rollout was supported by partnerships involving KRA (Kenya Revenue Authority), KCB (Kenya Commercial Bank), and global payment networks Visa and Mastercard. 

• The app is already available via Google Play and App Store for users with compatible devices. 

Why It Matters

• Overcoming payment friction: Many tourists struggle to pay for goods and services in local markets or rural areas that lack card machines. TouristTap bridges that gap. 

• Revenue formalisation: As tourist spending shifts from cash to traceable digital channels, more transactions enter formal accounting and tax systems—benefitting both merchants and the government. 

• Inclusive tourism ecosystem: Smaller vendors and informal businesses that previously couldn’t accept cards can now tap into digital payments without investing in expensive hardware. 

How TouristTap Works: Key Features

Challenges & Open Questions

• Device compatibility & NFC availability: Many basic or low-end smartphones may not support NFC, limiting accessibility. 

• App adoption hurdle: Tourists must download and register the app, which may be a barrier for short visits.

• Trust & consumer confidence: Users may demand immediate verification of merchant identity (recipient name) before sending payments. 

• Chargebacks, refunds, disputes: How will disputes be handled across card rails and mobile money systems?

• Merchant uptake & network reach: The app’s success depends on how widely small vendors, safari lodges, markets, and tourist spots adopt it.