Fonepay launches cross-border QR payments via Alipay+

LALITPUR: Fonepay, Nepal’s leading payment system operator (PSO), has entered into a landmark partnership with Ant International’s Alipay+, enabling its interoperable QR network to accept cross-border payments.

The launch event took place in Kathmandu and was attended by representatives from Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Alipay+ delegates, Nepal Tourism Board, banking and financial institutions, tour operators, guides and local business communities.

Under the new arrangement, international travellers from more than 11 countries — including China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Germany and Italy — can now pay at over 1.7 million Fonepay QR-enabled merchants across Nepal using familiar home-country e-wallets such as Alipay, KakaoPay, GCash, Touch ’n Go, AlipayHK, TrueMoney and Tinaba. The service offers a seamless, secure and convenient alternative to cash and currency exchange.

Edward Yue, General Manager for SEA, South Asia and ANZ at Ant International, said, “We’re very proud to celebrate this landmark moment to support the advancement of Nepal’s digital payments and travel ecosystem. Alipay+ builds on the growing digital infrastructure in Nepal, and we can jointly transform payments into a catalyst for economic opportunity, cultural resonance and tourism prosperity, benefitting both local merchants and global consumers.”

Diwas Kumar, CEO of Fonepay, said, “The integration of Alipay+ with the Fonepay network is a major step towards global interoperability and financial inclusion. This partnership not only opens doors for international travellers in Nepal but also empowers our merchants to access a broader consumer base without added complexity.”

Beyond facilitating payments, the alliance is intended to reinforce cultural and economic ties between Nepal and the Asia-Pacific region. As tourism and trade recover, the wider acceptance of Alipay+ is expected to enhance the visitor experience, boost merchant revenues and strengthen cross-border connectivity.

Officials believe the initiative will strengthen Nepal’s economy by enabling secure cross-border transactions, supporting tourism recovery, bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises and contributing to foreign revenue. As Nepal positions itself as a hub for travel, trade and cultural exchange, this step in digital payments is set to drive resilience and modernisation.

Fonepay, regulated by NRB, facilitates inter-bank person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions through an interoperable QR network and mobile platforms. It was the first mobile payment network licensee in Nepal.

Ant International’s Alipay+ is a unified payment gateway offering cross-border payment and digitisation services. It connects global merchants with international consumers, enabling seamless digital transactions and promotional services via preferred e-wallets while travelling abroad.