Kenya: Kenswitch Partners Visa to Strengthen Bid for Kenya’s National Payments Switch

Kenswitch, a Kenyan payments infrastructure provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with Visa, a move that could reshape competition for control of Kenya’s next-generation national payments system.

The agreement comes as regulators intensify efforts to unify the country’s fragmented payment landscape into a real-time, interoperable network—an initiative expected to influence how transactions flow across banks, mobile wallets, and merchants daily.

Through the collaboration, Kenswitch—already serving as a shared switch connecting over 30 financial institutions—will integrate Visa’s global payments capabilities to enhance transaction processing, settlement infrastructure, and digital payment solutions across Kenya.

Kenswitch CEO John Mukono described the partnership as a milestone in advancing the country’s payments ecosystem, noting that the combined strengths of both organisations will enable the development of next-generation financial solutions for banks, fintechs, and merchants.

Similarly, Chad Pollock, Vice President and General Manager for East Africa at Visa, said the collaboration is designed to deliver safer, more efficient payment experiences while strengthening transaction acceptance, processing, and settlement nationwide.

Intensifying competition for Kenya’s payment rails

The partnership comes amid growing competition among financial institutions, telecom operators, and global players seeking to anchor Kenya’s planned fast payment system and national switch.

The Central Bank of Kenya has been leading efforts to develop a real-time payments infrastructure that will enable seamless transactions across banks and mobile platforms, reduce costs, and enhance financial inclusion.

The initiative has attracted significant interest. In 2025, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System partnered with Ceva to position itself for a role in building Kenya’s payments infrastructure, highlighting the project’s strategic and commercial importance.

At the same time, Kenya’s banking sector has been advocating for Pesalink—operated by the Kenya Bankers Associationthrough Integrated Payment Services Limited—as the backbone of the new real-time system.

Strategic positioning

Founded in 2002, Kenswitch operates an extensive network spanning ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and agent banking outlets. By integrating Visa’s capabilities—including fraud prevention, data analytics, and digital acceptance tools—the company is strengthening its position as a leading contender in the national switch project.

The Central Bank of Kenya has emphasised interoperability and domestic processing as key pillars of the new system, aiming to balance innovation with control over critical financial infrastructure.

Kenswitch’s alliance with Visa could provide a competitive edge by combining established local infrastructure with global technology expertise, as regulators evaluate competing proposals for the country’s future payments architecture.