Namibia has successfully completed live production testing of its new Instant Payment Solution (IPS), a major step towards enabling real-time digital payments across the country’s financial system and accelerating financial inclusion.
The successful pilot, conducted by Instant Payments Namibia (IPN), saw live transactions processed between the Bank of Namibia’s Currency Management and Banking Operations Department and the first participating institutions, Bank Windhoek, Nampost and Letshego Bank Namibia. The tests confirmed the platform’s ability to transfer funds instantly, securely and reliably in a production environment.
The development represents one of the most significant upgrades to Namibia’s payments infrastructure in recent years, laying the foundation for a modern digital payments ecosystem capable of supporting instant transactions between banks, businesses, government institutions and consumers.
IPN Chief Operating Officer Marsorry Ickua said the successful pilot demonstrated that the technology is ready for deployment.
“The successful completion of pilot testing represents a significant milestone in Namibia’s payments modernisation journey. For the first time, we have demonstrated instant payments operating successfully in a live production environment, confirming that the solution is ready for implementation,” he said.
The platform has been developed through collaboration between the Bank of Namibia, IPN, participating financial institutions and technology partner NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global arm of India’s National Payments Corporation, which developed the widely adopted Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
Following the pilot, the system will be rolled out in phases, beginning with government social grant payments. Future phases are expected to introduce additional payment services designed to provide faster and more convenient digital transactions while broadening access to financial services.
The Instant Payment Solution forms part of Namibia’s broader digital transformation agenda and is expected to reduce reliance on cash transactions, improve payment efficiency and support innovation in the fintech sector.
The initiative also targets greater inclusion of rural and informal sector users who have traditionally faced challenges accessing formal banking services.
