The East African Community (EAC) has launched a groundbreaking initiative to create a regional instant payment network, starting with a pilot linking Rwanda and Tanzania’s national payment systems. The move aims to enable real-time, low-cost cross-border money transfers for citizens and businesses across the region.
The pilot, currently in its technical implementation phase, will connect Tanzania’s Instant Payment System (TIPS) with Rwanda’s National Payment Switch (RSWITCH). Once operational, individuals and businesses will be able to transfer funds directly between bank accounts and mobile money wallets in real time, reducing transaction costs and eliminating delays.
“This preparatory work marks a pivotal milestone in our regional payment integration agenda, bringing us closer to a single, secure, and affordable instant payment ecosystem across East Africa,” said Eng. Daniel Murenzi, EAC Principal Information Technology Officer.
The initiative is part of a Proof of Concept (POC) pilot designed to demonstrate the feasibility of cross-border payment interlinking, paving the way for expansion to all EAC Partner States.
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At the ongoing high-level meeting in Kigali, stakeholders—including representatives from Central Banks, national payment systems, AfrikaNenda, Mojaloop Foundation, and the EAC Secretariat—are discussing interoperability frameworks, operational designs, legal and regulatory alignment, governance structures, and economic models.
“As a region, we are committed to creating a robust framework that ensures efficient and inclusive cross-border payments,” said Mr. Fabian Ladislaus Kasole, Assistant Manager, Oversight and Policy, Bank of Tanzania.
The project is backed by the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), funded by the World Bank. EARDIP is supporting the implementation of the EAC Cross-Border Payment System Masterplan, including real-time payments, mobile money interoperability, and capacity building for national institutions. The project also aims to extend digital payment access to rural and remote communities, strengthen cybersecurity, and harmonize regional policies and standards.
For citizens and businesses in Rwanda and Tanzania, the integration promises to simplify cross-border transactions, enhance financial inclusion, and boost regional trade and economic growth.
The technical meeting in Kigali, running 10–14 November 2025, is expected to finalise the operational framework for the pilot, marking a significant step toward a fully integrated East African digital payments market.