The meeting took place at Urugwiro Village in Kigali and was attended by a delegation led by Dr James Mwangi of Equity Group Holdings and Dr Robert Ochola of AfricaNenda Foundation.
Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration to advance interoperable digital payment systems, expand financial inclusion and contribute to the economic integration needed to achieve the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Interoperable payment systems allow users to transfer money between different financial service providers, including banks and mobile money platforms, without having to rely on the same provider. Such systems can also facilitate cross-border transactions, potentially reducing the cost and complexity of payments for individuals and businesses.
AfricaNenda Foundation, an independent, African-led non-profit organisation, works to accelerate the development of inclusive instant payment systems across the continent.
Its work focuses on making digital transactions affordable, fast and accessible, particularly for low-income earners, women, rural communities and small businesses that face barriers to accessing formal financial services.
The foundation also works with central banks, regulators and payment service providers to develop interoperable systems that connect different financial platforms and facilitate transactions across borders.
In Rwanda, AfricaNenda has worked with local institutions, including RSwitch, Rwanda’s national e-payment switch, and the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), to advance interoperable digital payments, including through eKash.
Rolled out nationwide in July 2026, eKash enables users to transfer money between participating financial service providers, supporting the broader goal of making digital payments more accessible and convenient.
The system has recorded substantial growth in usage. In October, the Governor of the National Bank of Rwanda Soraya Hakuziyaremye reported that active eKash accounts had reached 10.3 million, up from two million in September 2026.
The platform had also processed 29 million transactions, compared with 1.9 million transactions per month a year earlier, while its average transaction success rate had improved to 98%, according to the Governor.
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