In a significant move toward strengthening Nepal’s digital payment ecosystem and enhancing the convenience of international travelers, NIC Asia Bank and Nepal Clearing House Limited (NCHL) have signed a landmark agreement that will enable tourists from over 11 countries to make seamless payments through the Alipay+ network at NepalPay QR-enabled merchants.
The collaboration marks a major advancement in Nepal’s financial technology sector, particularly in promoting interoperability between global payment networks and domestic digital infrastructure. The agreement was formally signed by Jayendra Rawal, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of NIC Asia Bank, and Nileshman Singh Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of NCHL, in a joint effort to expand the acceptance of cross-border QR payments within the country.
Boosting Digital Inclusion in Tourism
With this strategic partnership, international travelers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mongolia, Thailand, South Korea, Italy, Macau, and Germany, nations currently connected through Alipay+, can now directly make payments at NepalPay QR merchants affiliated with NIC Asia Bank. This integration allows tourists to use their native wallets or banking apps to conduct transactions while traveling in Nepal, eliminating the traditional hurdles of currency exchange or carrying large amounts of cash.
The initiative is expected to provide a seamless payment experience to international visitors, especially in tourist hotspots such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini, and the Everest region, where QR-based payment systems are already gaining popularity. With more tourists opting for digital payments over cash, this move is anticipated to significantly improve the ease of doing business for local merchants while offering added security and convenience for tourists.
A Leap Toward Global Payment Integration
Alipay+, a global payment ecosystem operated by Ant Group, connects digital wallets and banking apps from various countries, allowing users to make cross-border payments using their existing financial tools. Through this agreement, Alipay+ is now interoperable with NepalPay QR, the national QR standard implemented by NCHL in collaboration with Nepal Rastra Bank.
For NIC Asia Bank, this collaboration represents a forward-looking step in enhancing customer-centric services by adopting global best practices in financial innovation. By accepting payments through Alipay+, the bank’s QR merchant network becomes part of a much larger international system, giving local businesses exposure to a wider market and tourists a frictionless experience when shopping, dining, or engaging in recreational activities.
“This partnership is more than a technological integration, it’s a symbol of our commitment to making Nepal’s payment systems inclusive, accessible, and future-ready,” said Jayendra Rawal, Assistant CEO of NIC Asia Bank. “By enabling global payment interoperability through NepalPay QR, we are directly supporting the tourism sector and empowering local merchants to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.”
Strengthening Nepal’s Fintech Landscape
Nepal Clearing House Limited, as the country’s leading institution for digital payment infrastructure, has been at the forefront of expanding QR payment systems through the development and implementation of NepalPay QR. With this latest development, NCHL is further reinforcing its role in enhancing the efficiency, security, and universality of payment systems in Nepal.
“Digital transformation is key to our national financial development, and this partnership is a prime example of how we can align with global systems while maintaining local relevance,” said NCHL CEO Nileshman Singh Pradhan. “By integrating Alipay+ with NepalPay QR, we are simplifying transactions for international visitors and accelerating the adoption of digital payments within our borders.”
NCHL’s NepalPay QR has already made strides in promoting interoperability among various banks, digital wallets, and merchants within Nepal. The inclusion of international players now adds a significant dimension to this platform, broadening its utility and enhancing its role in supporting both domestic and international financial flows.
Empowering Local Businesses and Tourism
For Nepal, where tourism is a vital pillar of the national economy, this agreement could have far-reaching impacts. The ability to receive payments from foreign visitors through a familiar and secure platform can increase sales and improve service quality for small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those in rural and semi-urban areas where card infrastructure is limited but mobile QR adoption is growing.
Additionally, the initiative supports Nepal’s broader vision of becoming a digitally empowered economy. It aligns with the goals set by Nepal Rastra Bank to promote a cashless society and encourage the use of QR payments across all sectors, including tourism, retail, transportation, and hospitality.
Merchants associated with NIC Asia Bank will now have the competitive advantage of catering to a global clientele without needing additional infrastructure. As tourists use their domestic payment apps to pay in Nepal, businesses can enjoy faster settlement, better record-keeping, and enhanced customer trust.
Toward a Cashless Tourism Future
This partnership represents a practical solution to common travel challenges faced by tourists in Nepal. With the increasing trend of mobile-based transactions globally, tourists now expect the same level of convenience when traveling abroad. The integration of Alipay+ into NepalPay QR bridges that gap by offering a secure, reliable, and user-friendly platform for both merchants and travelers.
As Nepal continues to welcome a growing number of international visitors each year, initiatives like this will be essential in modernizing the tourism experience. The cooperation between NIC Asia Bank and NCHL not only demonstrates visionary leadership in digital finance but also opens up new avenues for economic growth through inclusive digital innovation.
With this agreement, Nepal takes a confident step toward becoming a cashless, tourist-friendly nation, where paying for a trek in the Himalayas or a souvenir in Bhaktapur can be as easy as a simple scan from a mobile phone.
