Building a Local Checkout Experience for Rwanda

// Rwanda-optimised transaction initialization
var response = await fetch('https://api.paystack.co/transaction/initialize', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    Authorization: 'Bearer ' + process.env.PAYSTACK_SECRET_KEY,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    email: customer.email,
    phone: customer.phone, // e.g., '0781234567' (MTN) or '0731234567' (Airtel)
    amount: Math.round(orderAmountRWF * 100), // RWF to smallest unit
    currency: 'RWF',
    reference: generateReference(),
    channels: ['mobile_money', 'card'],
    metadata: {
      order_id: order.id,
    },
  }),
});

Mobile money operators in Rwanda on Paystack:

• MTN MoMo Rwanda — 078/079 numbers
• Airtel Money Rwanda — 073/072 numbers

Paystack identifies the operator from the phone number prefix and routes the payment prompt accordingly.

• Currency display: Show as "RWF 10,000" or "RF 10,000" — the franc is the Rwandan currency. Avoid USD display for local customers.
• Mobile money prompt timing: MTN Rwanda prompts arrive within 5-15 seconds. Tell customers "You will receive a prompt on your phone shortly."
• Language: Rwanda is bilingual (Kinyarwanda and French), with English as the official language of business. English checkout is appropriate for most digital commerce.
• Internet connectivity: Rwanda has strong urban internet coverage but variable rural connectivity. Mobile money works on USSD (no smartphone needed) — a fallback for low-connectivity users.

This guide is part of the Paystack by country guide.

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