Google Wallet has faced strong headwinds in the U.S., where consumers have a host of other payment options. But now Google is exporting its mobile payment expertise to a country in need of secure payment options: Kenya.

On its Google Africa blog, the search giant announced it's working with Equity Bank, the largest bank in East Africa, to launch a new prepaid card for use on public transit.

The card, called BebaPay, is a contactless NFC card that users can either swipe or tap to pay. It can be loaded through Equity Bank agents or by using mobile money programs, Google said. (Since it's Kenya, it's safe to assume that includes M-Pesa, the popular mobile money program run by wireless carrier Safaricom.)

"With BebaPay, you’ll never again have to worry about carrying change for the bus, or keeping stacks of bulky tickets and receipts in your bag," said Aneto Okonkwo, Google product manager, in a post. "Instead, people travelling on key Nairobi bus routes such as Riruta, Karen and Jogoo Road will be able to preload money onto their BebaPay card, and swipe or tap it on the card reader when boarding a bus to pay for their journey."

Users of the card receive a free SMS receipt on their phones to help them track spending on their account.

Additionally, Okonkwo said the intent is to expand BebaPay beyond transit. Using the free BebaPay app on NFC-enabled smartphones, merchants can also accept the BebaPay cards for payment without needing any additional point of sale equipment.

Read more about contactless/NFC.