Kenyan fintech firm Craft Silicon launches TouristTap to revolutionize payment solutions for tourists across Kenya

KENYA – Kenyan fintech innovator Craft Silicon has launched TouristTap, a mobile application that transforms any Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled smartphone into a secure point-of-sale (POS) device.

This app allows international visitors to pay swiftly and securely using their Visa or Mastercard without the need for cash, card machines, or currency exchange hassles.

TouristTap is fully certified by Visa and Mastercard, compliant with global payment standards including PCI-DSS, and employs PIN-on-Glass technology to ensure encrypted, safe transactions.

This feature enables tourists to tap their cards on vendors’ smartphones, enter their PINs, and complete payments instantaneously, removing common barriers in traditional payment methods.

The app supports payment routing to mobile money wallets, till numbers, and bank accounts, expanding reach for small-scale vendors and informal tourism operators who traditionally struggle with cashless transactions.

This functionality is a game-changer for local curio sellers and roadside vendors, allowing them to accept global cards seamlessly.

Backing TouristTap is Kenya’s rising digital payments market, valued at US$4.2 billion in 2024, according to the Central Bank of Kenya.

Craft Silicon’s leadership believes the app can enhance visitor experience while boosting revenue generation throughout Kenya’s diverse tourism value chain.

Kamal Budhabhatti, Head of Product Dreams and Designs at Craft Silicon, emphasized, “Tourists often face payment struggles, especially in markets and roadside kiosks where card acceptance is limited. TouristTap turns your phone into your personal card machine. It’s simple, secure, and scalable.”

Kelvin Munga, Head of Merchant Acquiring and Payments at Craft Silicon, stated, “The platform covers the entire tourism ecosystem, allowing visitors to pay effortlessly from the Maasai markets to five-star lodges.”

This innovation is supported by Kenya Revenue Authority, which views TouristTap as a central tool bridging global payment networks with Kenya’s everyday economy, promoting financial inclusion and tourism growth.

Currently available on Google Play and Apple App Store for NFC-enabled smartphones, Craft Silicon has ambitious plans to expand TouristTap across other African travel destinations, addressing broader payment challenges continent-wide.

The launch of TouristTap marks a pivotal moment for digital payments in African tourism, promising smoother, secure, and more inclusive transactions for visitors and merchants alike, thereby boosting local economies and enriching the tourist experience.

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