Craft Silicon has announced the launch of TouristTap, a new digital payments system that will make it easier for tourists to pay for things all over the country. TouristTap has now been formally recognized by the Government of Kenya as an authorized payment option.
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The platform was unveiled during the “Tap into Kenya” event and is already approved for use across key tourism touchpoints, including national parks, hotels, coastal destinations and other attractions.
TouristTap makes it easier for visitors to make payments directly using their NFC-enabled smartphones. With this, there is no need to carry physical cash or currency exchange. After downloading the app, users can complete transactions by entering a local till number, paybill or mobile number and confirming payments with a secure PIN.
The goal is to allow tourists to “pay like locals” while maintaining global standards of security and convenience.
At the infrastructure level, the platform is backed by KCB Bank as the acquiring partner and Visa through its CyberSource technology and Visa Acceptance Platform. This ensures secure, scalable and real-time transaction processing across the tourism value chain.
TouristTap aims to improving transaction transparency, reduce friction and enable seamless payment flows across the ecosystem from hotels and parks to local markets and shops.
Speaking on the launch, Kamal Budhabhatti, Group Chief Executive Officer – Craft Silicon, emphasized the platform’s broader impact. “TouristTap represents a new era of convenience for travelers visiting Kenya. By enabling secure, cashless payments across the tourism ecosystem, we are not only enhancing the visitor experience but also supporting financial inclusion, transparency, and operational efficiency for service providers.”
From the payments side, Visa said that seamless payment experiences are a critical part of modern travel. Digital solutions like TouristTap can help unlock growth across the entire tourism value chain.
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