NRB Unveils Five-Year Fintech Strategy to Drive Digital Finance and Innovation

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has prepared a five-year strategic framework aimed at expanding access to and use of digital financial services while promoting innovation, competition and responsible growth in Nepal’s fintech sector.

The “Fintech Strategy for Digital Financial Services (2026/27–2030/31)”, prepared by the central bank’s Payment Systems Department, is proposed for implementation over the five years from 2026/27 to 2030/31.

The strategy envisions the development of a trusted, innovative and inclusive digital financial ecosystem that supports financial inclusion, financial deepening, efficiency and sustainable economic development.

The framework places strong emphasis on creating an enabling regulatory environment for fintech companies while ensuring the safety and resilience of digital financial services.

NRB has identified fintech-friendly regulation, secure digital infrastructure, and collaboration among key stakeholders as major priorities under the strategy.

The central bank aims to establish a regulatory framework that encourages innovation while creating a level playing field among fintech service providers and other participants in the financial sector.

The strategic framework is built around three major pillars:

Pillar 1: Infrastructure Development

This pillar focuses on modernizing digital infrastructure and strengthening regulatory and supervisory technology. The objective is to establish robust systems capable of supporting the growing volume and complexity of digital financial services.

Pillar 2: Policy, Regulation and Governance

The second pillar focuses on developing a fintech-enabling regulatory framework, promoting a level playing field among fintech players, and ensuring resilient systems and secure delivery of digital financial services.

Pillar 3: Fintech Ecosystem Development

The third pillar aims to encourage enhanced digital financial product offerings, provide support for innovation, improve digital financial literacy and empowerment, and strengthen regulatory coordination and collaboration.

It also includes measures to enhance the regulatory and supervisory capacity required to oversee the rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem.

One of the key objectives of the strategy is to expand the reach and accessibility of digital financial services through policy reforms. NRB expects the strategy to increase competition within the financial sector and provide consumers with a wider range of financial products and services.

The framework also seeks to leverage technological innovation to reduce the cost of financial services, while addressing emerging risks that could affect financial stability.

The strategy places particular emphasis on groups that have traditionally faced barriers to accessing formal financial services. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), rural populations, youth, women, children and workers engaged in the gig economy have been identified as priority groups.

By expanding digital access and improving financial literacy, NRB aims to ensure that technological advancement in finance benefits a broader section of the population. Alongside innovation and access, the strategy gives significant importance to the security and resilience of digital financial systems.

NRB plans to support the development of secure digital infrastructure and resilient systems capable of delivering financial services safely. Strengthening consumer trust and promoting responsible use of digital financial services are also central to the framework.

The strategy also recognizes the need for stronger coordination among the regulator, licensed financial institutions, fintech companies and other stakeholders as digital finance continues to evolve. The proposed strategy ultimately seeks to establish a safe, trusted, inclusive, innovative, interoperable, and resilient digital financial ecosystem in Nepal.

Through the framework, NRB expects to deepen access, usage, and quality of digital financial services while encouraging responsible fintech innovation and strengthening collaboration across the financial ecosystem.

The five-year strategy is also expected to support Nepal’s broader transition toward a technology-driven financial system by combining regulatory reform, infrastructure development, innovation support and financial empowerment.