Mastercard, DTB Launch Kenya’s First Contactless Payment Wearables

(Nairobi) – Mastercard, in collaboration with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) and Tappy Technologies, has unveiled Kenya’s first tokenization-based payment wearables, marking a significant step in the country’s digital payment landscape. The new wearables enable users to make secure, contactless payments by simply tapping the device at any point-of-sale terminal that supports contactless technology.

Mark Elliott, the Division President of Mastercard Africa, highlighted the focus on security, noting that the wearable technology replaces sensitive payment data with encrypted tokens, ensuring that each transaction is protected. He expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that it merges Mastercard’s expertise in digital payments with DTB’s strong market presence to deliver secure and convenient payment solutions.

The new payment wearables are designed to simplify the checkout process, offering consumers a “tap and go” experience. This innovation not only ensures fast transactions but also increases approval rates for merchants, contributing to higher transaction volumes. According to Mastercard, one in every nine point-of-sale transactions in the Middle East and Africa is now contactless, a trend that reflects growing demand for secure and efficient payment methods.

Nasim Devji, the Group CEO of DTB, emphasized that this partnership will transform the banking and digital payment experience for customers in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. “This partnership accelerates our digital journey and helps us deliver innovative financial solutions to retail, SMEs, corporate, and fintech clients,” Devji said.

The launch of these tokenized wearables marks a significant leap in financial technology, making secure, contactless payments more accessible across East Africa. As consumers increasingly seek faster, safer ways to pay, this innovation is expected to drive further adoption of digital payments in the region.