Money
Fonepay partners with Alipay+ to enable cross-border QR payments in Nepal
International travellers from more than 11 countries—including China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Germany, and Italy—can now make QR-based payments in Nepal.
Post Report
Fonepay, Nepal’s leading Payment System Operator (PSO), has forged a landmark partnership with Alipay+. This partnership enables its interoperable QR network to accept cross-border payments, a historic milestone in Nepal’s journey toward seamless digital transformation and international commerce.
The launch was marked with a formal event in Kathmandu, bringing together representatives from Nepal Rastra Bank, Alipay+ delegates, the Nepal Tourism Board, banking and financial institutions, tour operators, guides, prominent media outlets, and business communities.
With this integration, international travellers from more than 11 countries—including China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Germany, and Italy—can now make QR-based payments in Nepal using their familiar home e-wallets such as Alipay, KakaoPay, GCash, Touch ’n Go, AlipayHK, TrueMoney, and Tinaba.
Accepted at over 1.7 million Fonepay QR-enabled merchants, the service offers visitors a secure, convenient, and seamless way to pay, eliminating the need to carry cash or search for currency exchanges.
Edward Yue, General Manager for SEA, South Asia, and ANZ at Ant International, said, “We’re proud to celebrate this landmark moment supporting the advancement of Nepal’s digital payments and travel ecosystem. Alipay+ builds on Nepal’s growing digital infrastructure, allowing us to transform payments into a catalyst for economic opportunity, cultural connection, and tourism prosperity—benefiting both local merchants and global consumers.”
Diwas Kumar, CEO of Fonepay, emphasised the significance of the collaboration: “The integration of Alipay+ with the Fonepay Network is a major step toward global interoperability and financial inclusion. This partnership opens doors for international travellers in Nepal and empowers our merchants to reach a broader consumer base without added complexity.”
Beyond financial transactions, the Fonepay-Alipay+ collaboration strengthens cultural and economic ties between Nepal and the Asia-Pacific region. With rising tourism and trade, Alipay+ acceptance in Nepal is set to enhance visitor experiences, boost merchant revenues, and reinforce cross-border connectivity.
Fonepay said in a statement that this initiative supports Nepal’s economy by enabling secure cross-border payments, aiding tourism recovery, empowering SMEs, and contributing to foreign revenue.
(Editor’s Note: Kantipur Media Group’s Managing Director Sambhav Sirohiya has investment in F1Soft, the Fonepay parent company, and sits on the company’s board.)