Rwanda’s eKash Processes 10.5 Million Transactions Worth FRW 960 Billion After Nationwide Launch

The National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) has announced that eKash, Rwanda’s national instant payment system, has processed more than 10.5 million transactions since its nationwide launch on 14 July 2026.

According to NBR, the interoperable digital payment platform recorded an average successful transaction rate of 98.6%, with customers transferring more than FRW 960 billion through the system during the period following its rollout.

The central bank said the growth demonstrates increased adoption of interoperable digital payment services in Rwanda, with active users rising from 740,787 in the corresponding period in June to 1,971,522 by the end of July 2026.

This represents a 166% increase in the number of people actively using digital payment services connected through the interoperable system.

eKash Drives Growth in Digital Payments

The National Bank of Rwanda launched eKash to create a unified national instant payment infrastructure connecting commercial banks, mobile money operators, SACCOs, and microfinance institutions through a single payment network.

Before eKash, Rwanda’s digital payments ecosystem relied on separate bilateral connections between financial institutions. This structure made cross-network transfers more complex and limited seamless transactions between different providers.

The new system enables customers to send and receive money across different financial networks through an interoperable platform.

The rollout of eKash is aimed at reducing barriers in digital payments, lowering transaction costs, expanding financial inclusion, and supporting Rwanda’s transition towards a cashless economy.

eKash Reduces Digital Transfer Costs

One of the key changes introduced by eKash is the reduction of costs associated with transferring money between different financial networks.

The platform replaced previous cross-network transfer charges, which could reach up to FRW 5,000, with a capped fee of FRW 20 for peer-to-peer transfers.

By connecting different financial service providers through one payment rail, eKash enables customers to complete instant transfers without requiring separate connections between individual institutions.

Customer Feedback Supports System Improvements

NBR acknowledged the public response to eKash and thanked customers for their continued trust and feedback during the initial phase of implementation.

The central bank said customer feedback has helped identify areas requiring further improvements as participating financial institutions and the system operator continue to strengthen service performance.

While most transactions have been completed successfully, some customers experienced delays and failed transactions during the early stages of the rollout.

NBR said these challenges are being addressed by participating financial institutions and the system operator under its supervision, with continuous improvements being implemented to enhance reliability and customer experience.

NBR Launches Public Awareness Campaign

The central bank has also commenced a nationwide public awareness campaign to educate customers about eKash and the changes introduced through the interoperable instant payment system.

The campaign seeks to increase public understanding of how the platform works and guide customers on accessing and using the service.

Customers experiencing challenges while using eKash have been advised to first contact their bank or mobile money provider for support.

If the issue remains unresolved, customers can submit complaints to the National Bank of Rwanda through the Intumwa chatbot, available via SMS on 6005, WhatsApp at +250791700721, and through NBR’s website and official social media platforms.