🇷🇼Rwanda
Payment trends and fintech news from Rwanda
NALA Secures $50 Million Credit Facility to Expand Cross-Border Payments
African payments company NALA has secured a $50 million credit facility to expand its cross-border remittance and B2B payment services. The debt financing reflects a broader trend in African fintech towards building credit infrastructure and deepening financial services beyond core payments.
Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia test interoperable cross-border payment system
Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia are conducting a pilot test of an interoperable cross-border payment system designed to connect their domestic mobile money networks. The initiative comes amid heightened competition in Africa's payments sector and evolving regulatory frameworks that could shape the future of digital finance on the continent.
Esca Finance Partners with MANSA for Same-Day African Payment Settlements
Esca Finance has partnered with MANSA to enable same-day payment settlements across key African corridors, utilizing stablecoin-backed infrastructure. This collaboration aims to enhance liquidity and accelerate cross-border transactions for businesses, reducing the need to pre-fund accounts in multiple markets.
Rwanda to License Crypto Exchanges, Impose Penalties on Unapproved Platforms
Rwanda's Capital Markets Authority has released draft regulations to license cryptocurrency exchanges, with a public consultation open until June 20, 2026. The rules mandate that all virtual asset service providers must obtain a license from the CMA, with penalties for non-compliance.
Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia Test Interoperable Cross-Border Payment System
Ghana, Rwanda, and Zambia have begun testing an interoperable cross-border payment system to facilitate direct transactions between mobile money and bank accounts. The central bank-backed pilot aims to lower costs and improve speed for remittances and trade, supporting broader AfCFTA integration goals.
Rwanda Enacts Virtual Assets Law to Formalize Digital Finance Sector
Rwanda has passed a Virtual Assets Law, bringing cryptocurrencies and digital asset services under the formal regulatory oversight of its central bank. The move occurs alongside calls from regional central bankers, including Ghana's, for harmonized pan-African digital finance rules to facilitate cross-border payments and growth.
MTN Rwanda expands Pay with MoMo to over 55,000 merchant locations
MTN Rwanda has activated its Pay with MoMo service at over 55,000 merchant locations, expanding offline digital payment access. The mobile money division, which contributed over half of MTN Rwanda's Q1 2026 revenue, is central to the company's return to profitability.
MTN Rwanda Returns to Profit as Mobile Money Contributes Over Half of Revenue
MTN Rwanda reported a return to profitability in Q1 2026, with mobile money contributing 52% of service revenue. The results reflect a broader trend across MTN Group's African operations where fintech services are becoming central to revenue growth.
Ghana to pilot continental digital trade corridor with Rwanda and Zambia
Ghana, Rwanda, and Zambia are launching a pilot for a continental digital trade corridor in 2026 to enable instant, low-cost cross-border payments. The initiative, announced by Ghana's deputy trade minister, is a key test case for digital financial integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia launch digital trade payment corridor pilot
Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia have initiated a pilot for a digital trade payment corridor to enable instant cross-border business transactions. The project, announced by Ghana's Vice-President, leverages national instant payment systems and is viewed as a key test case for boosting intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.
Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia launch pilot for cross-border digital trade corridor
Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia have launched a pilot digital trade payment corridor to enable instant cross-border transactions. The initiative, backed by the countries' central banks, is part of Ghana's push to become a hub for pan-African payment integration under the AfCFTA framework.
Ghana Launches Pilot for Pan-African Mobile Money Interoperability
Ghana, Rwanda, and Zambia have launched a pilot project to enable direct mobile money transfers between their citizens, testing a model for continental interoperability. The initiative aims to lower transaction costs and support digital trade, addressing one of the key challenges to financial integration in Africa.
Rwanda Parliament Approves Landmark Virtual Asset Legislation
Rwanda's parliament has passed a bill creating a regulatory framework for virtual assets and cryptocurrencies, requiring service providers to be licensed. The law aims to reduce financial crime risks while supporting innovation, aligning Rwanda with a broader African trend toward formal digital asset oversight.
Ghana to Pilot Continental Mobile Money Interoperability with Rwanda and Zambia
Ghana will pilot a continental mobile money interoperability system in partnership with Rwanda and Zambia, testing cross-border digital trade and payment systems. The move is part of a wider African effort to reduce transaction costs and boost financial integration under the AfCFTA.
Ghana and Zambia Pursue Fintech Licence Passporting to Boost Trade
The central banks of Ghana and Zambia are negotiating a mutual recognition pact for fintech licences and direct payment links to ease cross-border trade. This bilateral effort is part of a wider African trend to lower transaction costs and integrate digital financial markets, with Ghana also finalising a similar agreement with Rwanda.
Paymentology and Chikwama Pay launch neobank in Rwanda
Paymentology and Chikwama Pay have launched a digital-only neobank in Rwanda, utilizing Paymentology's card infrastructure and Chikwama's local license. The service aims to increase financial access in Rwanda's digitally advancing market.
I&M Bank Rwanda partners with Network International to expand digital payments
I&M Bank Rwanda has partnered with payments processor Network International to enhance its card issuance and merchant acquiring services. The move is part of Rwanda's broader push to expand digital financial services, occurring alongside other fintech partnerships focused on remittances and regional regulatory cooperation.
Belmoney and RwandaCash Partner to Expand EU Digital Remittance Corridor
Belmoney, an EU-licensed money transfer operator, has partnered with Rwandan mobile money platform RwandaCash to enhance digital remittance flows from Europe. The collaboration connects Belmoney's digital platform to RwandaCash's extensive agent network, aiming to provide a streamlined transfer service for the Rwandan diaspora.
Paymentology and Chikwama Pay launch WhatsApp-enabled neobank in Rwanda
Paymentology and Chikwama Pay have launched a neobank in Rwanda that operates entirely within WhatsApp, a first for Africa. The service allows users to open accounts and get virtual Visa cards, aiming to increase financial access through a familiar platform.
Rwanda's central bank warns against crypto payments in local currency
The National Bank of Rwanda has cautioned the public against using cryptocurrencies for payments in the local currency, stating such transactions are not protected under current law. The warning comes as the bank finalizes new regulations for virtual assets and as regional initiatives, like a recent Rwanda-Kenya payments pact, aim to streamline cross-border digital finance.
Kenya and Rwanda adopt shared licensing framework for cross-border payments
Kenya and Rwanda's central banks have agreed on a shared licensing framework to ease cross-border payments. Concurrently, Nigerian fintech Nomba has launched an API enabling businesses to pay out to five African countries without managing foreign exchange directly.
Kenya and Rwanda Central Banks Sign MoU to Ease Cross-Border Payments
The Central Bank of Kenya and the National Bank of Rwanda have signed a memorandum of understanding to mutually recognize licensing for payment service providers. The agreement aims to reduce the cost and time of cross-border transactions between the two East African nations.
Kenya and Rwanda Sign Agreement to Harmonise Cross-Border Payment Licensing
Kenya and Rwanda have agreed to mutually recognise licences for payment service providers, allowing firms authorised in one country to operate in the other. The deal, signed by their central banks, aims to reduce costs and complexity for cross-border payments and advances regional financial integration efforts.
Kenya and Rwanda Sign Deal to Ease Cross-Border Payments
Kenya and Rwanda have signed an agreement allowing payment service providers licensed in one country to operate freely in the other, aiming to reduce transaction costs and boost regional commerce. The deal, signed on March 11, 2026, coincides with other regional payments consolidation efforts, including KCB Group's planned stake acquisition in Pesapal.