Rwanda Launches Unified Digital Payment System

Rwanda's eKash: A Unified Digital Payment System for Financial Inclusion

Rwanda has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation by launching eKash, a unified digital payment system designed to streamline money transfers across the country’s financial ecosystem. Initially accessible only through MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money, eKash has grown over the past three years to include banks, SACCOs, and microfinance institutions. The platform now connects 22 institutions, enabling users to pay directly from any linked account without needing to transfer or withdraw funds.

This initiative aims to eliminate the delays, fragmented channels, and long-standing inconveniences that consumers face when transacting across different providers. With eKash, sending money to anyone on any platform can become instant, reliable, and affordable.

“Digital payments in Rwanda were operating on separate systems that could not easily connect or work together. Your money had to move from one system to another, which brought delays, cost, and frustration for users. eKash changes that completely. It is fast, secure, and built for every Rwandan, no matter which provider they use,” said the Minister of ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire.

The platform also includes enhanced verification tools that reduce errors by allowing users to confirm recipient details before completing a transfer. This ensures greater accuracy and trust in transactions.

“Previously, we spoke about a truly cashless Rwanda, but our payment landscape was fragmented. Transactions moved in closed loops, systems did not speak the same language, and too many Rwandans still felt the distance between a bank counter, a mobile wallet, and the real economy. To achieve Vision 2050, we needed to build a different kind of infrastructure—one that is inclusive, interoperable, and owned by Rwanda. That is how the eKash journey began,” said Ingabire.

The transition from legacy platforms to an open-source, modern, instant payment infrastructure has been a game-changer. Today, all 22 participants have migrated to this new backbone that brings them all together. Rwanda has achieved one of the highest financial inclusion rates in the world. Ninety-six percent of adults are now financially included, with 92 percent formally included in banks and microfinance, and 86 percent using mobile money.

Despite these achievements, challenges such as processing costs, fragmented pricing, bilateral integrations, and limited awareness are slowing down the full benefit of eKash. “As we launch eKash, let’s commit to nurturing the environment it needs to thrive—greater adoption of RSwitch infrastructure, phasing out competing bilateral routes, and creating awareness so that citizens use eKash with confidence. Institutions, if not yet fully integrated, should accelerate onboarding and make eKash the default option for your customers,” said the Minister.

Since its launch in 2022, eKash has handled more than $46 million in transactions, with 99 percent of them completed successfully. Under current rules, users can make payments of up to Rwf 2 million per transaction, with a daily limit of Rwf 10 million. The 22 institutions connected to eKash manage more than 21 million accounts so far.

Developers emphasize that the platform is built with strong security standards to protect users as digital financial activity continues to grow. “Every transaction that passes through eKash is wrapped in layers of security. We designed it so that a farmer in Nyamagabe, a trader in Nyabugogo, and a bank customer in Kigali all enjoy the same level of protection. This system is not just modern; it is trustworthy,” said Blaise Gasabira, CEO of Rswitch, the developers of eKash.

The platform already integrates with Rwanda’s major financial service providers, including Ecobank, Zigama CSS, I&M Bank, AB Bank, Bank of Africa, COPEDU PLC, Access Bank Rwanda, MTN MoMo, and Airtel Money, with more institutions expected to join soon.

Affordability is a core principle of the rollout. “Lowering transaction costs is essential for ensuring the system benefits low-income earners and small businesses. We cannot build a digital economy that works only for the few. eKash was designed to be low cost so that every citizen, whether they are sending Rwf 500 or Rwf 5,000,000, can access financial services without feeling excluded,” said Gasabira.

To begin using eKash, users can register through their respective financial service provider’s mobile app or USSD platform. Mobile money customers can also dial 18211# to activate the service.

Officials say eKash is a major step toward creating a seamless digital environment in which every transaction is efficient and accessible. “For the first time, a national payments solution has been built end-to-end by African engineers, developers, and system integrators. Rwanda is a proof-of-concept nation; what we build here, we build with Rwandan talent, and what we learn here, we share with the rest of the continent,” said Robert Ochola, CEO of AfricaNenda.

“Building inclusive instant payment systems is about laying digital rails. We are not just launching a payment service; we are unlocking innovation in agriculture, healthcare, and small businesses across Africa. Over the next six years, we must reduce the number of financially excluded Africans from 400 million to fewer than 100 million.”