The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), today, announces the issuance and implementation of the Kenya Quick Response Code Standard 2023 (KE-QR Code Standard 2023; or the Standard). The Standard will guide how Payment Service Providers and banks (institutions) that are regulated by the CBK will issue Quick Response (QR) Codes to consumers and businesses that accept digital payments.
QR Codes are machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares containing information that provide an alternative option for initiating and accepting digital payments made by customers at various points of sale, such as supermarkets, general stores, shops, among other outlets. The implementation of the Standard, and use of standardised QR Code-enabled payments, will bring practical benefits to businesses and customers. Customers will now be able to make digital payments in an easy, fast, convenient, and secure manner using QR. Previously, customers had to manually input different payment codes and numbers, hence creating friction and cumbersome payment processes that are prone to errors.
The Standard will foster inclusivity by empowering institutions of different sizes and customer focus to enhance the adoption of digital payments. In the long run, the use of standardized QR Codes will facilitate the launch of innovative products and enhance the advantages that customers already enjoy when making payments across various institutions and mobile money networks (interoperability).
The Standard has been created through the cooperation of the CBK, Payment Service Providers, banks, and card schemes, among others, and is based on the EMVCo QR Code Specification. The Standard will be introduced in phases as these stakeholders align their operations with the requirements outlined in the Standard and raise customer awareness.
The release of the Standard represents a significant milestone in the execution of the National Payments Strategy 2022 – 2025. The Strategy, which was introduced in February 2022, aims to support the adoption of critical standards and align Kenya’s National Payment System with global best practices. By launching the QR Standard, Kenya is joining other prominent markets that have implemented a standardized method for issuing QR codes to facilitate payments. These countries consist of the Philippines, Jordan, South Africa, Singapore, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, India, and China.