Rwanda first issued UnionPay card to superimpose transportation card function

UnionPay International announced today that it has cooperated with Rwanda's Centrika to issue the country's first UnionPay card that integrates transportation card functionality. This marks a significant step in Rwanda's journey toward a fully integrated digital payment ecosystem.

The new card allows holders to use a single payment instrument for both traditional financial transactions and public transportation payments. Passengers can simply tap the card when boarding buses in Kigali, eliminating the need for separate transit passes.

"This is a game-changer for Rwandan commuters," said the Head of UnionPay International's Africa Division. "The convergence of banking and transport payments on a single card simplifies daily life and promotes cashless transactions."

Centrika's role in the partnership involved developing the backend infrastructure that enables real-time transaction processing between the banking and transportation systems. The company's proprietary technology ensures seamless interoperability between the two payment networks.