Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has organised the NRB Fintech Innovation Showcase 2026 in Kathmandu to promote technology-driven financial services and highlight emerging innovations in the fintech sector. The event was organised by the bank’s Payment Systems Department on Sunday at its premises in Baluwatar.

NRB Governor Prof. Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel inaugurated the event, highlighting the central bank’s priority on developing technology-based financial services. He stated that NRB has been working to establish innovation-friendly regulatory and supervisory frameworks to support fintech development.

The governor also emphasised the central bank’s dual responsibility of ensuring financial stability, secure payment systems and customer protection while managing risks arising from the rapid expansion of financial technology. He stressed the importance of coordination among the Government of Nepal, regulatory authorities, banks and financial institutions, technology companies and other stakeholders.

27 Exhibition Stalls Showcase Digital Financial Innovations

During the event, Deputy Governor Kiran Pandit highlighted the policy and structural initiatives undertaken by NRB to promote fintech development. Nischal Adhikari, Executive Director of the Payment Systems Department, outlined the objectives of the showcase and explained the regulatory arrangements introduced for technology-driven financial services.

A total of 27 exhibition stalls were set up by banks, financial institutions and fintech companies. The exhibition featured innovations in digital banking, digital payments, digital lending, cybersecurity, cloud computing, financial fraud and risk management, and regulatory technology (RegTech).

More than 1,000 visitors from Nepal Rastra Bank, banks and financial institutions, fintech companies and other relevant organisations attended the exhibition to explore technological developments in the financial sector.

Panel Discussion Focuses on Digital Lending and Financial Inclusion

The event also featured a panel discussion titled ‘Digital Lending and Credit for Underserved’, focusing on how digital financial solutions can expand access to credit for underserved communities.

The discussion was moderated by Manoj Ghimire of Fintech Alliance Nepal. The panellists included Nischal Adhikari, Executive Director of NRB’s Payment Systems Department; Suman Pokharel, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Global IME Bank; and Amit Agrawal, President of Fintech Alliance Nepal.

The discussion explored the potential of digital lending to improve financial inclusion and broaden credit access through technology-driven solutions.

Showcase Part of NRB’s Five-Year Fintech Strategy

The showcase is part of Nepal Rastra Bank’s broader efforts to strengthen the country’s fintech ecosystem under its ‘Fintech Strategy for Digital Financial Services (2026/27–2030/31)’. The strategy aims to strengthen coordination and collaboration among innovators and stakeholders across the fintech ecosystem.

Under the strategy, NRB has also developed the ‘NRB Fintech Nexus’ mechanism to enhance the effectiveness of the Digital Finance Innovation Hub (DiFi-Hub) and Regulatory Sandbox.

The showcase provided a platform for fintech companies and financial institutions to demonstrate their innovations, exchange ideas and build stronger collaboration. NRB has also planned further initiatives, including fintech workshops, hackathons and innovation challenges, to encourage innovation and support the growth of digital financial services in Nepal.