MasterCard plans to develop a smart card with Kenyan banks that will be used to pay for government services and distribute welfare, according to regional media.The global payments giant will work with Equity Bank, Commercial Bank of Africa, KCB Group and Diamond Trust Bank on the project, reports the Daily Nation.The programme will integrate all services offered through the centres providing a cash payment option for government services. Citizens will, for instance, pay for their passports through the cards that are offered free of charge at 32 centres spread across 27 counties.Ministry of Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru said the government will also disburse its social payments through the cards."Uwezo Fund beneficiaries, Youth and Women Funds disbursements, National Youth Service, Social welfare government cash transfers to families, government food subsidies, hunger safety net cash transfers and cash transfers to orphaned children will be disbursed through the cards," Waiguru told reporters about the card's launch.Last August in Nigeria, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission(NIMC) launched a project that will see MasterCard-branded identity cards with electronic payments functionality issued to 13 million Nigerians.

Also in the news:

Default ThumbnailUber and AU10TIX launch new safety measures Default ThumbnailSmithers Pira predicts worldwide growth for security printing Default ThumbnailYPB Group signs deal for ePassport technology