First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) is set to roll out digital wallet payment solutions, Swoo Pay and Google Pay, enabling customers to make contactless payments using their Android smartphones, tablets and other compatible devices.
In a public notice issued to customers, the bank said the new services will allow cardholders to link their existing FNBB debit or credit cards to a supported digital wallet and make payments by simply tapping their devices on contactless-enabled point-of-sale (POS) terminals.
The move marks another step in Botswana's transition towards digital payments, reducing reliance on physical bank cards while offering customers a more convenient and secure payment experience.
According to FNBB, both Swoo Pay and Google Pay use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, allowing customers to complete transactions without swiping or inserting a card. Customers will instead be able to use their mobile devices as digital wallets at merchants equipped with contactless payment terminals.
To qualify for the service, customers must have an active FNBB transactional account, an active FNBB debit or credit card, and a compatible Android device with NFC functionality. The bank said users will need to download either Swoo Pay or Google Pay from their device's application store before linking their cards.
The services will be available to eligible FNBB customers nationwide at merchants that support contactless payments.
FNBB indicated that domestic purchases made using either wallet will be free for both debit and credit card holders. For international transactions, debit card users will incur a fee of P7.42 per transaction, while credit card transactions will remain free.
The bank also noted that iPhone and Apple devices are not currently supported, and availability of the service will be subject to successful card verification.
The introduction of Swoo Pay and Google Pay comes as financial institutions across Africa increasingly embrace digital wallet technologies to meet growing consumer demand for cashless and mobile-first payment solutions. For Botswana, the launch could help accelerate adoption of contactless payments and strengthen the country's broader digital transformation agenda.