Rwanda’s national payment switch operator, RSwitch Ltd, has announced that it will discontinue the eKash digital wallet service as part of a broader restructuring of its financial technology services.
In a public notice, RSwitch said the decision follows Directive No. 45/2026, issued by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) on 9 June 2026, which requires payment system operators to focus exclusively on payment infrastructure rather than offering electronic money services directly to the public.
Under the new regulatory framework, eKash, which has operated as an electronic money platform facilitating digital payments and money transfers, will cease operations.
The transition process will begin on 14 July 2026, during which customers will no longer be able to link or relink bank accounts and mobile money wallets to their eKash accounts.
This includes linking bank accounts to mobile wallets, mobile wallets to bank accounts, bank accounts to other bank accounts, or mobile wallets to other mobile wallets through the platform.
RSwitch emphasized that the move is intended to ensure compliance with the central bank’s regulations while allowing financial institutions to continue providing digital payment services directly to customers.
What Customers Need to Know
Before the service is fully discontinued, users are encouraged to withdraw any remaining funds from their eKash wallets. Cash withdrawals will attract a service fee of RWF 20, which will be charged by the financial institution facilitating the transaction.
The company also announced that the maximum withdrawal amount has been increased to RWF 10 million per transaction, allowing customers to clear their balances more easily.
However, transactions exceeding this amount will require prior approval in line with applicable regulations.
Customers are advised to transfer their funds to registered bank accounts or mobile money wallets using the withdrawal code generated within the eKash platform.
Additionally, eKash users who have linked bank accounts to the service are encouraged to migrate to alternative digital banking channels offered by their financial institutions, including USSD, mobile banking applications, and internet banking services.
Services Already Suspended
RSwitch noted that several eKash services have already been disabled, including:
Opening new bank or mobile wallet accounts.
Depositing funds into eKash wallets through its application.
Conducting transactions involving newly registered financial institutions.
Despite the shutdown of eKash, RSwitch said it will continue operating Rwanda’s national payment infrastructure, enabling secure and efficient transactions between banks, mobile money providers and other financial institutions.
The company urged all affected customers to withdraw their remaining balances before the service is permanently terminated.
