Craft Silicon has introduced TouristTap, an innovative mobile application designed to transform how international visitors pay for goods and services in Kenya. By turning any NFC-enabled smartphone into a secure point-of-sale device, the app allows tourists to make payments directly with their Visa or Mastercard, eliminating the hassle of carrying cash in places where card acceptance is traditionally limited.
The launch of TouristTap is expected to revolutionize payments in the tourism sector. For years, visitors have faced challenges when paying for experiences like safaris, buying curios at Maasai markets, or even purchasing snacks at roadside kiosks. TouristTap bridges this gap, enabling seamless digital transactions at every point of the visitor experience and boosting convenience for both tourists and merchants.
Powered by Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, TouristTap enables payments to mobile money wallets, till numbers, bank accounts, and other payment applications. The solution aligns with the growing demand for interoperable and secure digital payment options, ensuring that visitors can transact easily while contributing to the wider adoption of cashless systems in Kenya.
Security remains a cornerstone of the new platform. TouristTap is certified by Visa and Mastercard, adheres to global compliance standards such as PCI-DSS, and incorporates PIN-on-Glass technology. This ensures that all transactions are fully encrypted and safe, addressing the concerns of both tourists and merchants regarding data security and fraud prevention.
The rollout comes at a time when Kenya is experiencing a surge in digital payments. According to the Central Bank of Kenya, card payments hit Sh538.5 billion in 2024, reflecting the nation’s growing shift towards cashless transactions. TouristTap aims to strengthen this trend by serving the entire tourism value chain — from local artisans and market vendors to high-end hospitality providers.
TouristTap is now available on Google Play and the Apple App Store for NFC-enabled smartphones, with Craft Silicon planning to expand the platform to other African tourism hubs. By making it possible for visitors to buy a bead bracelet as easily as they pay for a luxury hotel stay, TouristTap is set to redefine how Africa’s tourism industry engages with digital payments.
