Kenswitch Limited, Kenya’s shared payments infrastructure provider, and Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced the signing of a framework agreement to collaborate on advancing payment innovation and supporting the continued development of Kenya’s domestic payment processing and settlement ecosystem.
The agreement brings together Kenswitch’s national payments infrastructure and Visa’s global digital payments expertise to support financial institutions, merchants, businesses, and consumers across Kenya.
Under the framework, the two organisations will work together to explore opportunities across payment innovation and merchant acceptance. This includes collaboration around Visa’s Value‑Added Services, as well as innovation in payment processing, card services, and settlement infrastructure, aligned with the Central Bank of Kenya’s National Payments Strategy and its vision for a secure, efficient, and inclusive national payments ecosystem.
Visa’s Value‑Added Services are a portfolio of solutions that help financial institutions, merchants, fintechs, and businesses secure payments, prevent fraud, enable digital acceptance, and use data and analytics to grow, manage risk, and operate more efficiently.
“This collaboration with Visa is a significant milestone in our journey to deepen and modernize Kenya’s payment ecosystem,” said John Mukono, Chief Executive Officer, Kenswitch. “For over two decades, Kenswitch has been the backbone of interoperable payments in Kenya, connecting more than 29 financial institutions and processing millions of transactions annually across our ATM, POS, and agency banking networks. By aligning with Visa’s global capabilities, we can now co-create value-added solutions and next-generation processing and settlement infrastructure that will benefit every participant in Kenya’s financial ecosystem — from major banks, saccos and fintechs to merchants and everyday Kenyans.”
“We are pleased to collaborate with Kenswitch, which has played a foundational role in Kenya’s payments landscape,” said Chad Pollock, Vice President and General Manager, Visa East Africa. “Through this framework agreement, we aim to combine Visa’s global innovation capabilities with Kenswitch’s domestic infrastructure to support safer, more efficient payment experiences and strengthen acceptance, processing, and settlement across Kenya.”
Key Focus Areas of the collaboration Include:
- Visa’s Value-Added Services (VAS): Co-development of enhanced payment products and services that extend the utility, reach, and value of digital payments for financial institutions, merchants, and consumers.
- Joint Innovation in Merchant Payments: Joint exploration and piloting of emerging payment technologies, leveraging Visa’s global innovation ecosystem and Kenswitch’s established local infrastructure.
- Domestic Payment Processing and Settlement Ecosystem Enhancement: Collaborative efforts to modernise and strengthen the security, efficiency, and resilience of payment clearing and settlement processes in Kenya, aligned with the CBK’s National Payments System framework.
This agreement builds on Kenya’s strong trajectory as one of Africa’s most vibrant digital payments markets, where financial inclusion has reached 84.8% and digital transaction volumes continue to surge. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing financial inclusion, reducing friction in commerce, and positioning Kenya as a hub for payment innovation on the continent.
