Fonepay, Nepal’s leading mobile payment network and payment system operator, has entered into a strategic partnership with Ant International’s Alipay+, a leading global cross-border payment solution. The launch event was held at The Soaltee Kathmandu on August 28, 2025, in the presence of officials from Nepal Rastra Bank, Alipay+, Nepal Tourism Board, banking and financial institutions, tour operators, guides, prominent media houses, and business communities.
Through this collaboration, international visitors from more than 11 countries including China, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Germany, and Italy can now make payments in Nepal. Using their preferred e-wallets such as Alipay, KakaoPay, GCash, Touch ’n Go, AlipayHK, TrueMoney, and Tinaba, travelers can simply scan and pay at over 5 lakh+ eSewa Business QR merchants.
Expanding Global Payments in Nepal
Earlier, Indian visitors could already make payments to eSewa Business QR merchants using their UPI-enabled wallets due to the partnership formed between Fonepay and NPCI. This breakthrough simplified transactions for millions of Indian tourists traveling to Nepal every year.
Now, with the Alipay+ collaboration, Nepal has expanded its payment horizon further, welcoming visitors from across Asia and Europe with a seamless digital payment experience. Whether shopping at local stores, dining at restaurants, or booking hotels and travel services, international visitors can now pay effortlessly using their trusted home-country wallets.
This advancement ensures that:
- Payments are enabled across more than 500,000 eSewa merchants nationwide.
- International travelers save time and avoid the hassle of carrying or exchanging cash.
- The tourism economy benefits from increased spending and smoother visitor experiences.
Empowering Merchants and Driving Digital Growth
For Nepali merchants, this collaboration is a game changer. With a single eSewa Business QR, they can:
- Accept payments from both domestic and international wallets without additional setup.
- Receive settlements in their merchant-linked eSewa wallet or bank/client account.
- Use one QR code for all transactions.
This initiative also strengthens Nepal’s digital economy by:
- Boosting transaction growth and offering visitors trusted payment options.
- Contributing to economic expansion through trade, tourism, and remittance inflows.
- Promoting digital inclusion by connecting SMEs with global customers.
- Enhancing interoperability between domestic and international payment networks.
- Reinforcing Nepal’s global positioning as a digitally progressive destination.
About Alipay+
Developed by Ant Group’s International Business Group, Alipay+ connects merchants with multiple digital wallets across countries. Today, it serves over 1.5 billion consumers worldwide, integrating leading wallets such as Alipay (China), KakaoPay (Korea), Touch ’n Go (Malaysia), and GCash (Philippines).
By extending its network to Nepal, Alipay+ brings global interoperability and enhances cross-border payments for merchants and consumers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Do existing eSewa Business QR Codes need to be replaced for accepting cross-border payments?
- No. Existing eSewa Business QR codes under the Fonepay network are already enabled to accept Alipay+ scan-and-pay services.
- Are all merchants enabled under this program?
- Yes. By default, all eSewa Business QR Merchants are enabled for the service.
- What are the transactional charges for accepting international payments?
- A minimal fee of 1.95% per transaction applies to merchants on payments received via Alipay+ wallets. Charges are subject to change in future. Domestic payments through eSewa QR remain completely free of charge.
- How can merchants opt out of accepting cross-border QR payments?
- Merchants can opt out by notifying eSewa via mail. Gradually, the opt-out option will be available directly on the Merchant Panel and Fonepay Business App.
A Step towards the Future
This is more than a payment feature, it is a forward-looking initiative powered by eSewa to transform Nepal’s digital economy, empower local businesses, and enhance the visitor experience.
With this partnership, Nepal moves closer to a cashless society, one that thrives on innovation, economic growth, and global connectivity.
For more details, contact us at our toll-free number 1810-50-00131 or email merchant.operation@esewa.com.np
