KCB Bank Kenya has partnered with Visa to introduce a Tap-to-Phone contactless payment solution that will allow merchants to accept card payments directly on their NFC-enabled smartphones. The collaboration aims to reduce barriers to digital payment adoption and increase convenience for small businesses across the country.
The Tap-to-Phone technology eliminates the need for purchasing traditional point-of-sale (POS) terminals, a cost that has often limited uptake of electronic payments among micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. By transforming a standard smartphone into a secure payment device, the solution is expected to broaden access to cashless transactions in both urban and rural markets.
KCB Bank Kenya Director of Retail Banking, Jane Isiaho, said the initiative is anchored on the bank’s ongoing digital transformation strategy which focuses on simplifying payment acceptance and driving efficiency for merchants.
“This collaboration with Visa brings to life a powerful solution that gives every merchant the ability to accept digital payments using just a smartphone. We are simplifying access to payment acceptance, reducing operational costs, and empowering merchants to serve customers faster and more securely,” she said.
Powered by the Visa Acceptance Platform, the solution incorporates advanced security and tokenization technology to safeguard customer data and ensure all transactions meet global protection standards.
Visa Country Manager and Senior Business Development Leader for Kenya, South Sudan and Somalia, John Njoroge, said the Tap-to-Phone solution has the potential to unlock scale and improve financial inclusion across Kenya.
“Tap-to-Phone eliminates traditional barriers by turning the devices merchants already own into secure acceptance tools. This is how we unlock scale, drive inclusion, and build a stronger digital economy,” he said.
The introduction of this technology follows KCB’s continued investment in expanding digital payment infrastructure and supporting Kenyan entrepreneurs. The bank and Visa say the partnership will further strengthen the payments ecosystem and help businesses operate more efficiently in a rapidly shifting marketplace.
