Kenya has signalled a decisive shift toward a fully digital tourism economy after Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano endorsed the newly launched TouristTap Platform.
Speaking at the official launch in Nairobi, Miano described the platform as a “timely and transformative solution” aligned with Kenya’s ambition to build a globally competitive, digitally enabled tourism ecosystem.
“I must confess that I am already in love with this product,” she said, highlighting its potential to simplify transactions for both international visitors and local users.
Tourism’s Role in the Economy
Tourism remains a key pillar of Kenya’s economy, generating approximately KES 500 billion in 2025 and supporting nearly three million jobs both directly and indirectly.
Miano noted that the sector, with a largely youthful workforce, continues to play a vital role in job creation, cultural exchange, and the country’s global image.
“As we move forward, sustaining this growth demands innovation, efficiency, and exceptional visitor experiences,” she said.
She pointed to successful digitisation efforts, including automated parking systems at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, which have improved revenue collection by eliminating manual processes.
How TouristTap Works
TouristTap introduces a unified cashless ecosystem designed to enhance transparency, streamline transactions, and strengthen revenue collection.
Developed by Craft Silicon, the platform has been officially recognised by the Government of Kenya as an authorised payment option across key tourism touchpoints.
Unveiled during the “Tap into Kenya” event, it enables visitors to transact seamlessly at game parks, hotels, coastal destinations, and attractions nationwide.
At its core is a partnership with KCB Bank, alongside Visa, powered through CyberSource on the Visa Acceptance Platform to ensure secure and reliable transactions.
Travellers can pay directly using NFC-enabled mobile devices by entering local till numbers, paybills, or mobile numbers and completing transactions with a simple tap and secure PIN.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
Craft Silicon Group CEO Kamal Budhabhatti described the platform as a major step forward in convenience and efficiency.
“TouristTap represents a new era of convenience for travellers visiting Kenya. By enabling secure, cashless payments across the tourism ecosystem, we are enhancing visitor experience while supporting financial inclusion and operational efficiency,” he said.
From the payments ecosystem, Chad Pollock highlighted the importance of seamless payments in shaping travel experiences.
“Tourism is one of Kenya’s most important economic engines, and how visitors pay is a critical part of the experience,” he said.
Representing the acquiring partner, Johnson Ondicho added that the initiative aligns with efforts to expand digital payment adoption across key sectors.
A Step Toward the Future
With its infrastructure and strategic partnerships, TouristTap is expected to transform how visitors interact with Kenya’s tourism ecosystem, making transactions simpler and more secure.
“Kenya continues to position itself as a forward-looking, digitally enabled tourism destination,” Miano said. “The future of tourism is digital, integrated, and experience-driven, and today, we take a bold step along that path.”
