MTN Mobile Money is facing scrutiny over continued charges above Rwanda’s legally approved Rwf20 digital transfer fee, even as the country’s digital payment ecosystem moves towards greater affordability and interoperability through eKash, the National Digital Payment System.
MTN remains the only major operator still applying fees above the approved ceiling on some person-to-person mobile money transfers, effectively maintaining parts of its previous tariff structure despite the new pricing framework introduced under eKash. Some users have reported that certain transactions continue to attract the old charges during the ongoing transition.
The new framework, introduced by the National Bank of Rwanda, aims to harmonise digital payment charges across banks, mobile money operators, SACCOs and microfinance institutions.
Under the system, person-to-person transfers are capped at Rwf20 per transaction, regardless of the provider involved, in a move designed to reduce the cost of digital transactions, expand financial inclusion and accelerate Rwanda’s shift towards a cash-lite economy.
Airtel Money, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the operators complying with the new direction, offering eligible person-to-person transfers at Rwf0.
The debate over mobile money charges comes at a time when Rwanda’s digital economy continues to record strong growth. The latest ICT Sector Statistics Report shows that mobile subscriptions reached 97.1 per 100 inhabitants in the first quarter of 2026, up from 94.8 a year earlier.
Mobile money adoption has also expanded significantly, with SIM cards linked to active mobile money accounts increasing by 15.1 percent to 8.56 million, raising mobile money penetration to 59.4 accounts per 100 inhabitants.
The report further shows growing reliance on mobile services, with national voice traffic increasing by 19.4 percent year-on-year to 14.6 billion minutes, reflecting the central role digital connectivity now plays in Rwanda’s economy and everyday life.
Under Rwanda’s payment systems regulatory framework, providers that fail to comply with directives issued by the National Bank of Rwanda may face administrative sanctions and financial penalties.
The level of penalties depends on the nature and severity of the breach, while persistent non-compliance can trigger stronger regulatory measures.
As eKash continues to expand, regulators and consumers are watching how service providers align with the new system. The full implementation of the platform is expected to lower transaction costs, improve competition among providers and make digital financial services more accessible to millions of Rwandans.
