Kayko Earns PCI DSS 4.0.1 Ahead of Card Payments Launch

In Short

Kayko Group Ltd has secured PCI DSS version 4.0.1 certification.

The Rwandan fintech says the certification supports its plan to roll out card payment acceptance for small and medium-sized businesses on its integrated digital platform.

What Happened: Kayko PCI DSS Certification For Card Payment Security

Kayko Group Ltd said it has secured the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) version 4.0.1 certification. PCI DSS is a global security standard for organisations that process, transmit, or store payment card information, meaning it sets rules to reduce the risk of card data theft and unauthorised access.

The certification followed an assessment by Digital Jewels Africa Limited, which the company described as a Qualified Security Assessor. The certification was validated on November 10 after an assessment of Kayko’s payment services environment, including its corporate office and data centre.

Kayko said the milestone comes as it prepares to introduce card payment acceptance services. The company said this will let merchants receive payments through the same platform they already use to manage their businesses.

Crepin Gontran Kayisire, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Kayko Group, said the certification supports expanding payment options while keeping security central. “A customer standing at the counter is an opportunity a small business has worked hard to earn. How that customer chooses to pay should never stand in the way of a sale,” he said.

Why It Matters: What PCI DSS Enables For Kayko’s SME Platform

Kayko said PCI DSS compliance requires security measures covering access to sensitive information, network protection, vulnerability management, system monitoring, and information security policies.

The company also said it wants to make card payments easier for small businesses by integrating card acceptance into devices merchants already use. “We are working to make cumbersome payment devices a thing of the past by bringing card acceptance directly to the device merchants already carry everywhere: their phone,” Kayisire said.

Kayko said the planned service will integrate card transactions with its existing business management tools. It said this will bring sales, settlement information, reconciliation, and financial reporting into one account.