The Bank of Namibia’s (BoN) long-awaited Instant Payment Platform has been delayed and will now be launched in the first half of 2026, instead of the initially targeted September 2025 rollout.
The central bank ,however, confirmed successful testing phases of the national digital payment system.
First unveiled in April 2024, the project aims to provide low-cost, real-time digital payments accessible to all Namibians, including those in rural and informal sectors. It forms part of the Bank’s 2022–2024 Strategic Plan, which focuses on expanding financial inclusion, reducing cash dependency, and improving transaction efficiency across the country.
BoN Governor Johannes !Gawaxab said Namibia’s upcoming instant payment system is inspired by international models such as India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Brazil’s Pix, both of which have transformed commerce and financial inclusion.
“Instant payment systems such as India’s UPI and Brazil’s Pix have revolutionised inclusion and commerce. Namibia’s own Instant Payment Platform is currently in testing and will be rolled out in the first half of next year. It aims to provide low-cost, real-time payments to all Namibians, including those in rural areas, while enabling fintechs to build on open digital infrastructure,” he said.
!Gawaxab stressed that financial innovation is central to Namibia’s economic future, adding that the transition to digital finance must be guided by modern regulation and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“The future of money and payments is digital. Fintech and financial innovation are no longer optional; they are inevitable. Whether Namibia chooses to lead or follow will determine the prosperity we achieve,” he said.
The Governor said the Bank is exploring emerging technologies to strengthen Namibia’s digital ecosystem, including stablecoins, tokenised assets, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
“Over the next few years, stablecoins, tokenised assets, central bank digital currencies, and instant payment systems will dominate global finance. Namibia, in collaboration with the IMF, is exploring retail CBDCs to strengthen the country’s digital future. Wholesale CBDCs and instant payment systems will present major opportunities for local fintech firms,” he said.
!Gawaxab also reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to supporting innovation through modernised regulation.
“The Bank is modernising its regulatory frameworks through the Fintech Framework and Regulatory Sandbox to foster innovation without compromising stability,” he said.
The remarks were made during the FinTech Futures 2025 event hosted by the Bank of Namibia on Monday, where policymakers and industry leaders discussed Namibia’s digital finance priorities.
In preparation for the platform’s launch, the central bank appointed Marsorry Ickua as Head of Instant Payments Namibia (IPN), a newly established BoN subsidiary overseeing the project’s implementation.
Ickua previously served as the Bank’s Director of IT and as Officer in Charge (Acting Deputy Governor) for 15 months.
The Bank of Namibia has partnered with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), to develop and operationalise the country’s real-time instant payment infrastructure.
