Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has granted final approval for the merger of two among the country’s leading digital wallet companies—IME Digital Solutions Limited (IME Pay) and Khalti Pvt. Ltd.
The unified entity will operate under the name IME Khalti Ltd., though the mobile application will retain the name, Khalti.
Read: Khalti-IME Pay Merger: Reshaping Nepal’s PSP Industry
According to a public notice issued by the central bank, the merged company will officially begin joint operations under the new name starting July 17, 2025.
Both platforms will undergo a three-month user integration period during which both apps will continue to function normally. During this phase, users with accounts on both Khalti and IME Pay will have their accounts merged into a single profile.
In a statement, IME Pay clarified: “Users who have accounts in both Khalti and IME Pay will be integrated into a single app. Users of only IME Pay will be migrated to the Khalti platform, subject to their consent. New users can directly download the Khalti app, while existing IME Pay users will be able to access all features via Khalti.”
Balances and reward points from IME Pay accounts will be seamlessly transferred to Khalti, ensuring a smooth transition for existing users.
The merger was made possible after NRB amended the Payment and Settlement Bylaw, 2077 (Amended 2080) to allow mergers and acquisitions among licensed payment service providers (PSPs). The consolidation falls under Sub-rule 13 of Rule 37, which regulates fintech restructuring in Nepal.
IME Pay, backed by the IME Group, secured a PSP license in June 2017, and Khalti in April 2019. On Google Play Store, Khalti boasts over 5 million downloads, while IME Pay has been downloaded more than 1 million times.
Industry insiders believe the merger is a strategic move to leverage the complementary strengths of both companies. A fintech analyst told New Business Age earlier this year that: “IME Pay already has strong strategic positioning due to its affiliations with banks, insurance companies, cooperatives, brokers, and vendors. This merger further consolidates that advantage, especially considering IME Group’s portfolio includes InfoDevelopers, Midas Technology, and Sastodeal.”
From Khalti’s perspective, the analyst suggested the move may have been driven by operational efficiency:
“Khalti has been facing a high cash burn rate. The merger could help optimize resources and ensure long-term sustainability.”
