Rwanda eKash Retail Payments: Country Completes National Payment Migration
Rwanda eKash retail payments have entered a new phase after the country completed the migration of all domestic interoperable retail payment transactions to eKash, Rwanda’s national digital payment platform. The move is expected to improve interoperability between banks and mobile money providers while supporting the country’s push toward a more connected digital economy.
The migration, completed on 14 July, means that transfers between banks and electronic money issuers are now processed through a single national payment system operated by RSwitch.
Rwanda eKash Retail Payments Now Run on One National Platform
According to RSwitch, all interoperable retail payment transactions are now routed through the eKash platform.
These transactions include:
Account-to-account transfers
Account-to-wallet transfers
Wallet-to-account transfers
Wallet-to-wallet transfers
The migration follows a directive issued by the National Bank of Rwanda in January 2026, requiring domestic interoperable retail payments to be processed through one national platform.
The central bank believes the initiative will strengthen payment interoperability and improve the efficiency of digital financial services across the country.
Migration Supports Rwanda’s Digital Payments Strategy
Rwanda has invested significantly in modernising its national payments infrastructure as part of efforts to expand digital financial services, promote financial inclusion, and reduce the use of cash.
The National Bank of Rwanda has identified interoperable payment systems as a key driver of a more integrated and inclusive digital economy.
With the migration complete, customers using banks or electronic money issuers can transfer funds seamlessly between bank accounts and mobile wallets through the same payment infrastructure.
Transaction Limits and Charges
RSwitch said financial institutions will charge a maximum fee of RWF20 (about US$0.014) for each transaction processed through eKash.
The platform supports transactions of up to RWF10 million (about US$6,782) per transfer.
However, participating banks and electronic money providers may set lower transaction or daily limits based on their own internal policies.
Customers can continue using their existing digital channels, including:
Mobile banking applications
Internet banking platforms
Mobile money services provided by participating institutions
RSwitch Reaffirms Commitment to Secure Payments
RSwitch said it remains committed to providing a secure, reliable, and interoperable payment infrastructure that allows users to send, receive, and make payments confidently across different financial institutions.
Established in 2003, RSwitch serves as Rwanda’s national electronic payments switch and is responsible for enabling interoperability and electronic payment settlement throughout the country’s financial sector.
The successful rollout of Rwanda eKash retail payments marks another important milestone in the country’s digital transformation, creating a more efficient payment ecosystem for consumers, businesses, and financial institutions.
