Tap&Go in Rwanda: Everything You Need to Know

Buying a card, registering it, and topping up before you travel can make everyday journeys in Kigali far smoother. Here is a practical guide to Tap&Go, based on AC Mobility's updated answers to the questions commuters ask most.

Tap&Go is AC Mobility's public transport payment and ticketing service. Passengers load money onto a card and tap it on a bus validator to pay their fare.

Buying and Registering Your Card

A Tap&Go card costs RWF 1,000 and comes with a zero balance, so it must be topped up before use. Cards are sold by brand ambassadors at five Kigali bus parks: Nyabugogo, Downtown, Kimironko, Kabuga, and Nyanza.

Registration has two steps. First, register with a brand ambassador at one of those bus parks. Then dial *532# and follow the prompts. AC Mobility says completing both helps it trace your card's records if a swap is needed, and USSD registration saves your card identifier for future top-ups, reducing the risk of paying into the wrong card. Passengers who already have unregistered cards can also register through the Tap&Go app to view their transactions and avoid mistakes.

Know your card identifier: Use the final eight characters after the last hyphen on your card. On a card marked 111808-00913161-B7377B62, the identifier is B7377B62. Keep a photo or written record of it. If the printing has worn off, an authorised Tap&Go agent can help retrieve it.

Topping Up

You can top up through an authorised agent, the Tap&Go app, or MTN Mobile Money by dialling *532#. The minimum is RWF 100 and the maximum is RWF 50,000. Check your card identifier and the amount before confirming payment.

For USSD and app top-ups, AC Mobility recommends allowing 15 to 30 minutes before your journey. Keep your payment confirmation; if money was deducted but your balance has not updated, contact customer support with your card identifier and transaction details. When topping up through an agent, confirm the amount loaded and your new balance before leaving.

Lost, Stolen, or Not Working?

Request a card swap at AC Mobility's headquarters in Nyarutarama. After verification, your remaining balance can be transferred to a replacement card. Bring your identification document, the last eight characters of your old card identifier, and RWF 1,000 for the new card.

Upcountry Travel

Tap&Go also works with approximately 90 percent of upcountry bus companies, providing digital ticketing, reporting, and reconciliation services that help operators record sales and monitor revenue. Passengers can book tickets through the app with participating companies, though AC Mobility advises checking availability for your route and operator beforehand.

Where to Get Help

For assistance with any Tap&Go service, call 6655 or 0780 139 126.