By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 29 April 2026 - Kenya is taking a major step in transforming customer experience in banking with the launch of a Nairobi-based card manufacturing facility capable of replacing ATM cards in under a minute.
The development marks a shift from days-long waiting periods to near-instant service, addressing one of the most persistent frustrations among bank customers.
The facility, backed by a $20 million investment, is designed to localise the production of secure banking cards and reduce reliance on imports.
For years, customers across the country have faced delays in replacing lost, stolen or expired ATM cards, often waiting days or even weeks due to offshore processing and logistical bottlenecks.
The new system introduces instant issuance, allowing banks to produce and hand over cards within seconds.
Speaking during the launch, Founder and Executive Chairlady Kofo Akinkugbe said the move is aimed at bringing advanced financial services closer to Kenyan consumers. “We are bringing services already enjoyed by some institutions closer to the market that encouraged us to come,” she said.
She noted that the facility is designed to address real operational challenges in the banking sector, particularly around speed and efficiency. “The facility is meant to solve real business challenges through speed, lower costs and global standards,” she added, signalling a broader ambition to align Kenya’s financial infrastructure with international benchmarks.
The impact for customers could be immediate and practical. With instant issuance machines, banks may soon offer same-minute card replacements in high-traffic areas such as malls and airports, eliminating the need for multiple branch visits or prolonged waiting periods.
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For frequent travellers and urban consumers, this could significantly improve convenience and access to funds.
Industry stakeholders say the benefits extend beyond customer experience. Habil Olaka, Chairman of the Financial Inclusion Fund Advisory Board, emphasised the importance of localising critical financial infrastructure. “When critical components are imported, delays and disruptions affect the entire system. Local production improves responsiveness and continuity,” he said.
The facility is also expected to create jobs and support technology transfer, while reducing the country’s import bill for secure banking products.
More broadly, it reinforces Kenya’s push to strengthen its position as a regional fintech hub by investing in local capacity.
If widely adopted by banks, the innovation could fundamentally reshape how customers interact with financial services. Instant card replacement would mean faster access to money, reduced dependence on physical bank branches, and a smoother, more modern banking experience.
For many Kenyans, it signals the end of a long-standing inconvenience. Losing an ATM card, once a stressful and time-consuming ordeal, may soon become a problem solved in just 60 seconds.