Tanzania and Rwanda have begun linking their national payment systems, Tanzania’s Instant Payment System (TIPS) and Rwanda’s National Payment Switch (RSwitch), to enable instant, low-cost cross-border transfers. The initiative, supported by the EAC and World Bank through the Eastern Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (EARDIP), advances regional financial integration and real-time payment connectivity in East Africa.
The initiative has entered its technical implementation phase at a high-level meeting taking place in Kigali from 10th to 14th November 2025.
According to the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, the linkage of TIPS and RSwitch forms a Proof of Concept (POC) pilot to demonstrate the technical and operational feasibility of a direct cross-border payment switch within the EAC. The Tanzania–Rwanda model will serve as a foundation for future expansion to all Partner States and a step toward a regional digital payments market. Eng. Daniel Murenzi, EAC Principal Information Technology Officer, said: “This preparatory work marks a pivotal milestone in our regional payment system integration agenda, moving us closer to a single regional instant payment ecosystem that will facilitate secure, affordable, and real-time transactions across borders.” Mr. Fabian Ladislaus Kasole, Assistant Manager, Oversight and Policy, National Payments Directorate, Bank of Tanzania, said: “As a region, we remain committed to establishing a robust technical and operational framework that will ensure the successful interlinking of our national retail payment systems, ultimately enhancing cross-border payment efficiency and financial inclusion across the region.”
Read more at: https://www.tanzaniainvest.com/finance/banking/rwanda-payment-systems-integration-tips-rswitch
