IME, Khalti receive final merger approval from central bank

Kathmandu, June 19

The Nepal Rastra Bank has granted final approval for the merger of two payment service providers, IME Pay and Khalti.

This is the first-ever merger of major digital wallets in Nepal’s financial history, marking a significant step in the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy, IME Pay informed in a statement on Thursday.

Following the merger, the unified company will operate under the name IME Khalti Limited, with its registered office located at Panipokhari, Kathmandu.

 While the official company name changes, the digital application will retain the Khalti brand name, which has over five million active users.

The companies believe the merger will significantly enhance their reach, especially in expanding digital payment services into rural areas, where financial inclusion remains a key priority.

"The merged entity aims to leverage its combined resources to deliver a more comprehensive and user-friendly platform," read the statement.

With final regulatory approval secured, a three-month integration period will begin to merge the user accounts, balances, and loyalty rewards such as Khalti Points and IME Pay Rewards. During this period, both IME Pay and Khalti apps will continue operating separately to ensure a smooth transition.

The companies informed that the users of IME Pay will have the option to merge their accounts into Khalti with a single tap, while new users can directly download the Khalti app and access the enhanced features.

"All existing features of IME Pay will be incorporated into the Khalti app, allowing seamless transfer of balances and reward points. The merger is expected to transform Khalti into an even more convenient and comprehensive digital platform," read the statement.

Likewise, Khalti aims to introduce new fintech experiences, including receiving remittances directly into the wallet from anywhere in the world, opening bank accounts, acquiring Visa cards, and eventually offering loan services, all from within the app.

The company hopes this merger will serve as a milestone for Nepal’s digital economy and strengthen Khalti’s position as a trusted, all-in-one financial service platform for everyday life.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 June 2025.