NMB Bank Plc, proudly announces the launch of Tanzania’s first QR Pay by Link (QR PBL) payment solution in collaboration with Mastercard

 NMB Bank Plc, in collaboration with Mastercard, proudly announces the launch of Tanzania’s first QR Pay by Link (QR PBL) payment solution, a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward digital transformation. This innovative solution allows SMEs to accept card payments via QR code or secure link, providing businesses with an efficient, cost-effective way to drive payment acceptance without needing physical point of sale (POS) devices.

This launch signifies Africa’s first in-store QR PBL utilizing Mastercard Click 2 Pay, an advanced, password-free checkout feature that ensures fast, secure, and seamless transactions for consumers. The solution is designed to meet the growing demand for simple and secure digital payment, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Businesses can now accept card payments through QR code scanning, which directs consumers to a secure link on their smartphones. This eliminates the need for physical payment terminals, significantly reducing costs and making it easier for businesses to integrate digital payments into their operations. This groundbreaking solution will empower Tanzanian businesses by offering a more streamlined and accessible payment system, addressing the unique needs of merchants and consumers alike.

Ruth Zaipuna, Chief Executive Officer of NMB Bank, said: “This innovative solution is a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. With a simple link, we have made it easier, safer, and faster for people to make payments wherever they are. This new solution removes the need for complex setups, allowing businesses to focus on what they do best while offering their customers the convenience of seamless payments.”

Shehryar Ali, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard, said: “This launch reinforces our commitment to driving financial inclusion and digital transformation in Tanzania. We are proud to collaborate with NMB Bank to introduce this cutting-edge digital solution, which enables merchants to offer secure, touchless payments without the need for expensive payment terminals. By fostering the adoption of innovative technologies, we aim to support the growth of businesses and economies across the region.”

With over 3 million small businesses in Tanzania employing more than 5 million people, this innovation is set to drive growth across key sectors such as hospitality, retail, food services, transportation, and tourism. From local markets and restaurants to curio shops, taxis, and boda boda drivers, businesses across Zanzibar and the broader Tanzanian market can now offer fast, secure payment options directly from their smartphones.

This new solution not only enhances payment security and convenience but also ensures that SMEs and other small businesses can participate in the digital economy with minimal costs.  The solution supports card acceptance for Mastercard, and other card payment schemes and UPI payments, enabling businesses to provide a diverse range of payment options to consumers. The innovative use of QR codes further extends payment services to merchants previously unable to accept card payments due to high costs or lack of infrastructure.

QR PBL is a standardized e-commerce payment solution that enables consumers to pay securely using their card details via their phone, while merchants can accept payments through NMB TanQR Codes using a secure URL embedded in an EMVCo QR code. As Tanzania continues to embrace digital transformation, the Mastercard and NMB QR PBL solution is poised to redefine the payment landscape, offering real-time, cashless transactions that benefit both businesses and consumers.

This launch forms part of Mastercard’s global commitment to connect 1 billion people and 50 million micro and small merchants to the digital economy by 2025, enabling inclusive growth and driving economic progress across the world.