Contactless Card Payments Enabled on Smartphones in Egypt

Merchants across Egypt can now accept contactless electronic payments directly on smartphones and tablets, following the launch of mobile and tablet acceptance through Soft POS applications by the Central Bank of Egypt.

The move marks the first time smart devices can be used as full payment acceptance points in the local market and forms part of broader efforts to expand electronic transactions, reduce reliance on cash, and advance financial inclusion under Egypt Vision 2030.

Under the new system, merchants can download a Soft POS application onto a mobile phone or tablet, allowing the device to receive contactless card payments without the need for a traditional point-of-sale terminal. Cardholders can enter their PIN securely on the device’s screen, using a payment method that the central bank described as internationally certified and compliant with global security standards.

The Central Bank said the initiative is designed to lower costs for payment service providers, businesses, and merchants by eliminating the need to purchase and maintain physical POS terminals.

By reducing upfront and operational expenses, the model is expected to make electronic payment acceptance more accessible, particularly for small businesses and new market entrants, while improving service quality and transaction efficiency.

Soft POS acceptance has been tested in Egypt through pilot programmes over recent years, during which transactions were capped at EGP 600. The bank said the experience helped prepare the payments infrastructure for wider deployment and broader usage.