About Us
IPN: The Company behind It All
About us
Who We Are
Instant Payments Namibia (IPN) is the operator of Namibia's national Instant Payment Solution. We are a not-for-profit fintech entity established to deliver safe, affordable, and interoperable real-time digital payments for all Namibians.
IPN operates under the oversight of the Bank of Namibia and forms part of the country's broader effort to modernise the national payment system, strengthen financial inclusion, and support inclusive economic growth.
Our role is to operate and manage the instant payments infrastructure that enables individuals, businesses, government institutions, banks, mobile money providers, and fintechs to transact seamlessly with one another, regardless of the platform they use.
Why We Exist
Addressing Structural Payment Challenges
Namibia's payment landscape has made significant progress, yet access to affordable and convenient digital payments remains uneven. Cash continues to dominate everyday transactions, particularly in rural areas and the informal economy, driven by distance, cost, fragmentation between providers, and limited interoperability.
Instant Payments Namibia was created to address these structural challenges by providing a shared national payment infrastructure that:
- Enables real-time, low cost digital payments
- Connects bank accounts, mobile wallets, and other approved stores of value
- Reduces fragmentation across payment platforms
- Expands access to digital payments for underserved communities
- Builds trust through strong governance, security, and regulatory oversight
Our Mandate and Principles
Guided by a Clear Public Interest Mandate
Interoperability
All participants connect through a single national platform, enabling seamless payments across banks and non-banks.
Affordability
Transaction costs are designed to remain low to support everyday use by individuals and small businesses.
Inclusion
The system is designed to work across smartphones, basic mobile phones, and traditional banking channels.
Safety and Trust
Strong risk management, fraud controls, and regulatory compliance are embedded into the platform.
Neutrality
IPN operates as an independent scheme and infrastructure provider, supporting competition and innovation across the ecosystem.
Governance and Oversight
Operating Within Namibia's Payment System Framework
IPN operates within Namibia's national payment system framework and in alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and standards issued by the Bank of Namibia.
We work closely with licensed banks, non-bank financial institutions, payment service providers, mobile network operators, government institutions, and industry bodies to ensure the system remains resilient, secure, and responsive to national priorities.
Our governance structures ensure clear accountability, transparency, and responsible management of a system that is critical to Namibia's financial infrastructure.
What We Do
Operating Namibia's Instant Payment Infrastructure
IPN operates and manages the core system that enables instant payments across all approved financial service providers in Namibia.
We provide the underlying rails—the technical infrastructure and scheme rules—that allow individuals and businesses to send and receive money in real time, regardless of which bank, mobile wallet, or fintech they use.
Through our platform, users can transact via mobile banking apps, USSD channels, point-of-sale terminals, and other digital payment touchpoints.
Looking Ahead
Building Toward a More Inclusive Digital Economy
As IPN moves toward full operationalization, the platform will continue to expand, enabling new use cases and services that support Namibia's evolving financial needs. Future system capabilities may include:
- Merchant payment integration for everyday purchases
- Request-to-pay functionality
- Government payment services, including tax and fees
- Cross-border payment linkages with regional payment systems
- Bill payment integration
- Developer APIs that enable third-party innovation
IPN remains committed to operating a reliable, inclusive, and secure payment system that serves the people of Namibia—today and into the future.
Our History
1 December 2021
Launch of Bank of Namibia 2022–2024 Strategic Plan
The 2022–2024 Strategic Plan prioritizes financial inclusion, payment system modernization, and digital transformation.
29 April 2024
Official launch of the Instant Payment Project
The Bank of Namibia issues a media release formally launching the Instant Payment Project.
26 April 2024
Launch event of the Instant Payment Project
The Bank of Namibia officially announces the IPP programme at a public event in Windhoek.
1 July 2024
Industry kick-off meeting for the IPP Programme
BoN hosts the IPP Programme kick-off with industry stakeholders.
11 December 2024
Launch of Bank of Namibia 2025–2027 Strategic Plan
The Bank of Namibia launches its 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, confirming the IPP as a major milestone.
12 May 2025
Migration of NISS to ISO 20022
Migration to ISO 20022, strengthening the technical foundation required for modern instant payment systems.
16 June 2025
Directive issued supporting instant payments
BoN releases instant payments guidance under the Payment System Management Act, supporting interoperability.
1 July 2025
Exploration of biometric authentication for payments
Biometric integration explored to strengthen onboarding and security.
20 October 2025
Revised launch target announced
BoN confirms an adjusted launch timeline for the Instant Payment Platform, with rollout expected in the first half of 2026.
