PhonePe Partners with eSewa, HAN Pokhara to Promote UPI in Nepal

PhonePe, in collaboration with eSewa and the Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) Pokhara, is set to promote UPI during the Fewa New Year Festival in Nepal. The festival, spanning from April 11-14th, is a celebrated event attracting both locals and Indian tourists, offering cultural experiences and culinary delights.

Objectives and Activities

Objectives

• Popularize UPI payments on the Fonepay Network in Nepal.
• Raise awareness about digital payments among local merchants and customers.
• Demonstrate the convenience of digital transactions during the festival.

Activities

• On-ground activations to educate merchants and customers about digital payments.
• Prominent branding and kiosks showcasing UPI usage.
• Interactive activities to highlight the ease of UPI payments.
• Engagement with over 3,000 merchants and an expected 100,000 visitors.

Statements from Key Figures

Ritesh Pai, CEO International Payments, PhonePe: Expressed excitement about the partnership and emphasized the focus on merchant education and awareness to drive UPI adoption in Nepal.

Jagdish Khadka, CEO, eSewa: Highlighted the opportunity to promote digital payments and enhance the overall visitor experience during the festival, aligning with the needs of Indian tourists.

Laxman Subedi, President HAN Pokhara Chapter: Underlined the festival’s aim to attract visitors and promote tourism, emphasizing Pokhara’s appeal as a cultural and culinary destination.

Diwas Sapkota, CEO, Fonepay: Expressed pleasure in the strategic partnership to integrate UPI capabilities onto the Fonepay Network, leveraging the festival’s massive turnout to showcase advancements in payment technology.

About the Collaborating Entities

PhonePe Group: Leading fintech company in India with a focus on digital payments and expansion into financial services and consumer tech businesses.

eSewa: Nepal’s first and leading online Payment Service Provider (PSP) committed to fostering financial inclusion and creating a digital economy.

Hotel Association Nepal (HAN): Representative organization in Nepal’s hospitality industry, fostering unity among hoteliers and promoting their interests.

FonePay: Payment System Operator facilitating digital transactions in Nepal, regulated by Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) and focused on driving a cashless economy.