KATHMANDU: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has organized the ‘Fintech Innovation Showcase Event 2026’ with an aim to promote technology-based financial services and showcase emerging fintech-based innovations. The program organized by the Payment Systems Department of Nepal Rastra Bank concluded in Kathmandu today.

Governor Prof. Dr. Bishwanath Poudel inaugurated the program organized at the premises of Rastra Bank in Baluwatar. Bishwanath Poudel inaugurated the program. Addressing the inaugural session, Governor Poudel said that the Rastra Bank has been giving high priority to the promotion of technology-based financial services. He said that the NRB is making efforts to develop a regulatory and supervisory system based on innovation.

Governor Poudel said that the NRB has a dual responsibility in managing the challenges created by the expansion of fintech. He said that on the one hand, there is a need to ensure financial stability, safe payment and customer protection, and on the other hand, to manage the new risks and challenges associated with the development of financial technology and innovation.

He stressed on collaboration and collaboration among the government, regulatory bodies, banks & financial institutions, technology companies, and financial institutions for the promotion and development of fintech innovation.

Deputy Governor Kiran Pandit talked about the policy and structural efforts made by the Nepal Rastra Bank for the promotion of fintech. Similarly, Executive Director of the Department of Payment Systems, Nischal Adhikari, highlighted the objectives of the program and informed about the arrangements adopted by the Rastra Bank regarding financial services based on digital technology.

Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Dirgha Bahadur Rawal, chief executive officers of banks and financial institutions, government agencies, payment system operators, fintech companies and other stakeholders participated in the inaugural session.

Under the program, 27 stalls of financial institutions and fintech companies were set up in the exhibition. The exhibition included innovations related to digital banking, digital payments, digital credit flow, cyber security systems, cloud computing, financial fraud and risk management, and technology-based regulation (regtech). More than a thousand representatives of institutions including Rastra Bank, banks and financial institutions, and fintech companies visited the exhibition.

On the occasion, a panel discussion on ‘Digital Lending and Credit for Underserved’ was also held. Manoj Ghimire facilitated the discussion on behalf of Fintech Alliance Nepal, Executive Director of Payment Systems Department, Nischal Adhikari, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Global IME Bank Suman Pokharel and Chairman of Fintech Alliance Nepal, Amit Agrawal.

Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) aims to collaborate and collaborate with fintech ecosystem innovators and other stakeholders under its ‘Fintech Strategy for Digital Financial Services (2026÷27-2029÷30’.

Under this strategy, the Rastra Bank has also prepared a ‘Fintech Nexus’ mechanism to make the Digital Finance Innovation Hub (DFIH) and the regulatory sandbox effective. As a continuation of this, the ‘Fintech Innovation Showcase’ has been organized today.

Nepal Rastra Bank is also planning to organize fintech workshops, hackathons and innovation challenges in the coming days.