TouristTap Launches in Kenya to Revolutionise Payments for Seamless Travel

Visiting Kenya often feels like stepping into a lifelong dream for countless tourists, drawn by its breathtaking wildlife, vibrant cultures, and stunning natural vistas that create memories to last a lifetime. Yet, amid these wonders, a persistent hurdle emerges: the lack of straightforward payment options for everyday expenses. Whether embarking on a thrilling safari, haggling for souvenirs at a bustling Maasai market, or grabbing a quick snack from a roadside kibanda, many visitors grapple with incompatible payment systems. They frequently resort to carrying bulky cash reserves, hunting for ATMs, or facing rejection when their foreign-issued Visa or MasterCard cards fail at smaller vendors.

Enter Craft Silicon, Kenya’s premier fintech innovator, which has unveiled Tourist Tap, a groundbreaking mobile app designed to streamline payments for global travellers. This app empowers users to link their Visa or MasterCard and execute transactions directly via any NFC-enabled smartphone. By eliminating physical cards, cash hassles, and complex currency conversions, TouristTap provides a smoother, more secure payment experience tailored to Kenya’s diverse tourism landscape.

According to CIOAfrica, TouristTap is a pioneering mobile app that harnesses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the same technology behind contactless card taps. Unlike traditional methods, it turns your smartphone into a virtual card reader, enabling effortless tap-and-go payments for international visitors across Kenya’s spectrum of spots, from upscale safari lodges to authentic Maasai marketplaces.

Getting started is effortless: Tourists simply download the app onto their NFC-compatible smartphone and connect it to their Visa or MasterCard. Payments then unfold with a simple tap against an NFC terminal or point-of-sale system, ideal for snagging a handmade Maasai bracelet, settling a tab at a neighbourhood eatery, or covering hotel charges. The app also allows users to send money to mobile money wallets, bank accounts, or directly to bank accounts, making it useful for various service providers in Kenya.

A frequent frustration for tourists bound for Kenya is navigating payments, particularly at modest outlets where the infrastructure lags. While luxury hotels and major tour companies embrace digital options, humble roadside stalls and Maasai artisans often lack card-accepting setups, forcing visitors into awkward binds. Such situations can mean lugging cash (with its inherent risks), scrambling for ATMs, or abandoning purchases altogether when foreign cards are declined, ultimately dampening the travel joy.

Craft Silicon’s TouristTap flips this script. A single smartphone tap handles transactions seamlessly, freeing users from the burdens of cash and exchange woes. The app’s design ensures accessibility for all, empowering tourists to engage with any vendor, whether big or small, and fostering a seamless and frustration-free journey.

Digital payments naturally spark security worries, but Craft Silicon has fortified TouristTap with top-tier protections. Certified by Visa and MasterCard, it adheres to their rigorous global benchmarks. It also complies fully with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS), safeguarding sensitive data with unyielding protocols.

According to Travel and Tour World, the app incorporates PIN-on-Glass technology, letting users enter their PIN directly on their phone’s screen for added encryption during transactions. This layer thwarts unauthorised access, ensuring every payment remains private and impenetrable to threats.

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Kenya’s digital transaction boom has accelerated recently, with tourism riding the wave. Data from the Central Bank of Kenya reveals that card payments reached $4.2 billion (KES 538.5 billion) in 2024, underscoring a shift toward tech-driven solutions that are being adopted by both visitors and residents alike.

This innovation arrives at a pivotal moment for tourism, which, pre-pandemic, contributed over 10% to Kenya’s GDP and remains an economic powerhouse. TouristTap elevates visitor experiences by enabling effortless payments, boosting satisfaction and funnelling more revenue to local enterprises. Imagine a traveller impulsively buying from a Maasai vendor with the same ease as charging a five-star stay—it bridges gaps across the tourism ecosystem, empowering micro-sellers and luxury operators equally.

In Nigeria, the landscape of digital payment solutions for tourists mirrors many of the challenges seen in Kenya but is evolving rapidly amid a fintech boom. As Africa’s most populous nation and a growing tourism hub, Nigeria grapples with similar issues: foreign cards often face acceptance barriers at smaller vendors, street markets, or rural attractions due to limited POS infrastructure and reliance on cash. 

However, Nigeria’s fintech sector, supported by major companies such as Paystack, Flutterwave, and Interswitch, has introduced innovations that are particularly friendly to tourists. For instance, apps like OPay and PalmPay enable mobile money transfers, while initiatives such as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) push for contactless payments and QR code systems aim to integrate tourists seamlessly. 

Yet, adoption lags in informal sectors; tourists frequently encounter ATM shortages, high withdrawal fees, or card cloning risks, leading to cash-heavy travels that heighten security concerns. Recent developments, including partnerships with Visa and MasterCard for NFC-enabled apps and the NQR (Nigeria Quick Response) platform, signal progress, but full penetration remains uneven, especially outside urban centres like Lagos or Abuja.

With TourisTap, Africa’s tourism sector, which contributes over $194 billion annually to the continent’s GDP (pre-2020 figures, with recovery ongoing), is set to be impacted. Enhancing solutions like TouristTap could inspire cross-border adaptations, reduce friction, and encourage more extended stays or repeat visits by minimising payment hassles. 

For Africa broadly, this could boost intra-continental tourism, support SMEs in remote areas, and integrate economies digitally, potentially adding billions in revenue as visitor numbers rebound to pre-pandemic levels of 67 million annually. 

In Nigeria, specifically, where tourism accounts for approximately 5% of GDP (around $20 billion in 2024 estimates), better payment ecosystems could unlock untapped potential in niches such as ecotourism in Cross River or cultural festivals in Osun State. By fostering inclusivity, such innovations reduce tourist dissatisfaction (e.g., from cash-only markets), enhance safety perceptions, and drive a 10-15% increase in spending, according to industry reports.

 

FAQs

1. What is TouristTap, and how does it benefit tourists in Kenya?

TouristTap is a mobile app developed by Craft Silicon that utilises NFC technology to facilitate contactless payments via smartphones linked to Visa or Mastercard. It benefits tourists by eliminating the need for cash, simplifying transactions at various locations such as markets and hotels, and enhancing security for a hassle-free Kenyan adventure.

2. How do I set up and use the TouristTap app?

Download TouristTap for free from Google Play or the Apple App Store on an NFC-enabled phone. Link your Visa or MasterCard, then tap your device against compatible terminals for payments. It also supports transfers to mobile wallets, till numbers, or bank accounts for added flexibility.

3. Is TouristTap secure for international payments?

Yes, TouristTap is certified by Visa and MasterCard, compliant with PCI-DSS standards, and features PIN-on-Glass technology for encrypted transactions, ensuring your payment data remains protected from unauthorised access.

4. Where can TouristTap be used in Kenya, and are there plans for expansion? 

It’s usable across Kenya at NFC-enabled spots, from high-end lodges to local markets and eateries. Craft Silicon plans to expand to other African countries, aiming for a continent-wide solution to tourist payment challenges.

5. How does TouristTap impact Kenya’s tourism and economy?  

By streamlining payments, TouristTap boosts visitor satisfaction, increases spending at small businesses, and supports Kenya’s digital economy. It helps tourism, which contributes over 10% to GDP, by making experiences more accessible and revenue-generating for vendors of all sizes.