Rwanda Launches Full Interoperability on eKash National Payment System

Rwanda’s national instant payment system, eKash,  has become fully interoperable, enabling seamless transactions between banks and electronic money issuers as the country continues to strengthen its digital payments ecosystem.

According to a public notice issued by RSwitch, the transition of domestic interoperable retail payment transactions to eKash, Rwanda’s National Digital Payment System (NDPS), has been completed in line with National Bank of Rwanda Directive No. 45/2026. From 14 July 2026, transfers between bank accounts, mobile wallets and combinations of both will now be processed through the eKash platform.

The move allows customers to send and receive money across banks and electronic money providers through a single interoperable system. Customers will pay a maximum transaction fee of RWF 20 for transfers processed through eKash, while the platform supports transactions of up to RWF 10 million per transaction, subject to financial institutions’ individual transaction and daily limits.

The new system also enables customers to pay merchants using their preferred bank account or mobile wallet, regardless of the financial institution that issued the account. In addition, eKash can be accessed through existing digital banking channels, including USSD codes, mobile banking applications and internet banking platforms offered by banks and electronic money issuers.

RSwitch noted that customers will continue using their existing bank accounts and mobile wallets, with no requirement to register for or download a new application. Customer funds will remain protected under Rwanda’s regulated financial system.

The completion of the interoperability programme marks a significant milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to build a more connected, secure and financially inclusive digital payments ecosystem, providing a unified national payment infrastructure that enables seamless digital transactions across the country’s financial institutions.