Apple Expands Tap to Pay to Malaysia: What It Means for Global Merchants
Apple has officially launched its Tap to Pay on iPhone feature in Malaysia, allowing businesses to accept contactless payments directly through their iPhones—no extra hardware needed. This expansion marks another step in Apple’s global rollout of iPhone-as-POS technology. However, Kenyan merchants are still waiting, held back by the absence of Apple Pay in the region.
What Is Tap to Pay on iPhone?
Tap to Pay on iPhone is a feature that turns any compatible iPhone into a payment terminal. Merchants can accept contactless credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay—simply by holding a customer’s device near their iPhone. It’s fast, secure, and eliminates the need for bulky card readers.
Why Malaysia? Why Not Kenya Yet?
Apple has been steadily rolling out Tap to Pay across countries where Apple Pay is already available. Malaysia is a logical choice because Apple Pay launched there in 2022, giving the feature a solid user base. In contrast, Kenya still lacks Apple Pay support, which creates a chicken-and-egg problem: without Apple Pay, Tap to Pay cannot function fully. Kenyan merchants are left waiting, even as mobile payment adoption soars in East Africa.
What Kenyan Businesses Can Do in the Meantime
While waiting for Apple Pay to arrive, Kenyan merchants can still use other mobile payment solutions:
- M-Pesa – Kenya’s dominant mobile money platform
- QR code payments – Supported by many local banks
- Third-party POS apps – Such as Square or SumUp (where available)
These options offer similar convenience without requiring Apple Pay. However, they lack the seamless iPhone integration that Tap to Pay provides.
What’s Next for Apple Pay and Tap to Pay in Africa?
Apple has not announced a timeline for bringing Apple Pay to Kenya or other African markets. But the expansion to Malaysia shows that Apple is actively growing its payment ecosystem. When Apple Pay eventually reaches Kenya, Tap to Pay will likely follow quickly, giving merchants a powerful new tool to accept payments.
Key Takeaways for Merchants
- Tap to Pay on iPhone is now live in Malaysia, but not in Kenya.
- Kenyan merchants need Apple Pay first before they can use the feature.
- Alternative mobile payment solutions are available in the meantime.
- Apple’s global rollout suggests Kenya may get support in the future.
Stay tuned for updates as Apple continues to expand its payment services worldwide.
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