… system to replace NamPost cash disbursements
Namibia’s long-awaited Instant Payment System, championed by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) and developed in partnership with India’s NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), is now expected to launch in the third quarter of 2026 following further implementation delays.
The project was initially scheduled for rollout in September 2025 before being postponed to the first half of 2026.
Government has now confirmed a revised timeline as preparations for the country’s first real-time digital payments platform continue.
Finance Minister Ericah B. Shafudah provided an update on the initiative while tabling the 2026/27 Budget Statement in the National Assembly on Thursday, informing lawmakers of progress made in implementing Namibia’s first fast and instant payment solution aimed at supporting Government-to-Person (G2P) payments.
She said the system is designed to expand financial inclusion by providing affordable digital payment services, particularly targeting rural communities and participants in the informal economy.
“The Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Namibia, and payment service providers are working together to improve financial inclusion through affordable digital payment services, focusing on rural communities and the informal sector,” Shafudah said.
The Minister confirmed that government plans to transition from NamPost’s cash-based disbursements to digital payment channels under the new framework.
“This initiative will facilitate quick, secure government payments, reducing travel distances and queues for pensioners.The transition from cash disbursements with NamPost to digital channels will occur under the Instant Payment System, set to be launched in the third quarter of this year,” she said.
Once operational, the platform is expected to enable real-time transfers between bank accounts, mobile wallets and other financial platforms, lowering transaction costs and improving efficiency across the financial system.
The Bank of Namibia has previously indicated that the system will allow 24-hour instant transactions, strengthening the speed and accessibility of financial services nationwide.
Former BoN Governor Johannes !Gawaxab said during a public lecture that the platform would support seamless wallet-to-wallet, wallet-to-bank and bank-to-wallet transactions, helping democratise financial services and encourage competition between fintech companies and traditional banks.
He added that the central bank intends to keep transaction costs low while ensuring interoperability, allowing fintech innovators and entrepreneurs to integrate their services into the platform.
The Instant Payment System is being developed following a 2024 partnership between the Bank of Namibia and NIPL, the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India.
The platform will be modelled on India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and forms part of Namibia’s National Payment System Vision and Strategy, which prioritises affordability, accessibility and security in digital payments.
Authorities say the system is expected to support broader financial sector modernisation, strengthen trade efficiency and accelerate the country’s transition towards a more inclusive digital economy.
