Kenya is solidifying its position as a leader in digital travel payments within Africa, driven by innovative strategies and strong public-private partnerships. The recent Kenya Travel Industry Payment Summit (KTRIPS 2025) in Nairobi underscored the nation’s commitment to transforming the travel payment ecosystem, focusing on enhanced security, efficiency, and accessibility for all stakeholders.
The summit’s key message was the importance of collaboration between public and private sector. Juanita Omanga of the Central Bank of Kenya’s Digital Payment Services Division stressed the importance of partnerships in promoting innovation and protecting consumers. She also said that they improve service delivery for the travel payment industry. This collaborative approach aims at ensuring that technological advancements are beneficial to major airlines, smaller agencies, and individual travellers alike.
Kenya’s success with digital payments can be seen in its thriving mobile-money services, which have facilitated transactions and broadened financial inclusion across the country. The summit highlighted how innovations like QR payments, buy-now-pay-later options, and real-time cross-border payments are reshaping the travel experience. These advancements are in line CBK’s proactive approach towards fostering a secure and efficient payment ecosystem.
Industry leaders have reiterated the importance of digitalization. Nicanor Sabula, CEO of the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), emphasized that modern payment systems are essential for enhancing customer experiences, driving business growth, and ensuring security in an increasingly digital world. KATA Chairperson Joseph Kithitu echoed this view and stated that digital adaption is crucial for Kenya’s tourism industry to maintain its competitive advantage.
Kenya’s growing influence on the African travel market can be backed up by impressive statistics. In 2024, the country accounted for \$566.8 million in air travel sales, representing 2.67% of the total Middle East and Africa market. This figure reflects a 2.11% year-over-year growth, demonstrating the positive impact of digital payment solutions.
The summit also addressed challenges in the digital payments space, such as digital fraud, phishing schemes, and delays in cross-border payments. John Njoroge from Visa Kenya stressed the need for payment systems to adhere to high standards of data privacy and protection, especially as transaction volume increases and regulations evolve.
KTRIPS 2025 served as a platform for key stakeholders from the travel industry, fintech sector, and regulatory bodies to discuss and explore solutions. The summit’s focus on emerging trends, fraud prevention, regulatory compliance, and technologies like Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) reflects Kenya’s forward-thinking approach to shaping the future of travel payments.
KATA, the national umbrella organization for Kenyan travel agents, plays a vital role in advocating industry best practices, reforms in policy, and digital transformation. The organization’s dedication to improving the travel experience of all stakeholders aligns Kenya’s broader vision to become a digital hub in Africa.
Kenya’s proactive approach towards digital travel payments, coupled with its strong public-private partnership and focus on innovations, positions the nation as a role model for other African countries seeking to modernize their tourist sectors. Kenya’s embrace of these advancements not only enhances its own travel industry, but also contributes to the broader transformation of the African continent through digital technology.
