Kenya Looks to Upgrade Payments Infrastructure as Cross-Border Trade Grows

Kenya’s payments ecosystem is poised for a new phase of development as industry leaders call for faster settlement, greater interoperability and infrastructure capable of supporting complex domestic and cross-border transactions.

The issues were discussed at a media roundtable in Nairobi convened by payments firm Verto, where participants said the country’s widely praised mobile money success must now be matched by stronger back-end systems to support growing trade volumes and regional expansion.

Over the past decade, Kenya has emerged as a digital payments leader, driven largely by widespread mobile money adoption. But speakers at the forum said businesses operating across borders continue to face challenges related to settlement delays, foreign exchange management and payment reconciliation, raising costs and slowing growth.

Kenya Shifts Focus to Core Infrastructure

Mark Mwaniki, Verto’s director of sales for Kenya, said the next stage of development will depend on how effectively payment infrastructure supports businesses operating at scale.

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“Kenya has proven what is possible when innovation meets strong demand,” Mwaniki said. “Now the focus must shift to infrastructure that allows payments to move as fast as businesses do, with fewer intermediaries, clearer pricing and minimal friction.”

Participants said small and medium-sized enterprises are among those most affected by existing gaps, particularly companies trading within Africa and beyond. They noted that fragmented systems often force businesses to rely on multiple platforms, increasing operational complexity.

Mwaniki said infrastructure providers should focus on connecting local payment methods to global networks rather than replacing existing systems. He added that secure, transparent and efficient payment rails would be critical for sustaining growth.

Digital Payments Mature

The discussion also highlighted the role of regulators, banks, fintech firms and infrastructure providers in shaping the future of payments. Speakers emphasized the need for regulatory clarity and collaboration to encourage innovation while maintaining financial stability.

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As Kenya positions itself as a regional business hub, participants said reliable payment infrastructure is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage, with continued investment in core systems seen as essential to long-term growth.

“Payments are no longer just a support function,” Mwaniki said. “They are a strategic enabler for trade, investment and economic inclusion.”

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