Advancing Digital Payments in Nepal: Infrastructure Upgrades and Policy Development for Enhanced Trade Facilitation

This report analyzes the evolution of Nepal's digital payments landscape, highlights challenges, and shows how upgrading its infrastructure and strengthening regulatory alignment can help build secure, resilient, and inclusive payment systems. A collaboration between ADB and the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) program, it draws on international case studies and explains how Nepal is working to strengthen areas such as interoperable payment systems and digital identification. Highlighting issues around technical integration, small business adoption, and skills shortages, it outlines why investing in infrastructure, developing cross-border trade solutions, and building capacity can expand regional market access and drive economic growth.