Cambodia And India Usher In A New Era Of Digital Payments With Strategic Partnership Between NPCI And ACLEDA Bank Enabling Effortless QR Code Transactions

Published on December 5, 2025

India and Cambodia have launched a groundbreaking partnership to enable seamless cross-border QR code payments, making it easier for travelers to conduct secure, hassle-free transactions. This collaboration allows Indian tourists to pay at millions of merchant locations in Cambodia using UPI-enabled apps, while Cambodian travelers in India can easily make payments through their local payment apps. By enhancing digital payment options, this initiative is set to boost convenience for travelers and merchants alike, fostering smoother, more efficient transactions across both nations.

QR code payments between India and Cambodia are set to become more seamless with the strategic partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and ACLEDA Bank. This collaboration will empower travelers from both nations to make secure and interoperable digital payments using widely accepted platforms, streamlining transactions and enhancing the overall experience for tourists and businesses alike.

The collaboration focuses on integrating India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Cambodia’s Bakong (KHQR) payment system, creating a robust ecosystem for cross-border digital transactions. By enabling Indian travelers to make payments at over 4.5 million merchant locations across Cambodia, the partnership will allow them to use their UPI-enabled apps to complete transactions effortlessly. Conversely, Cambodian tourists in India will be able to scan more than 709 million UPI QR codes to make payments via their Cambodian payment apps.

This development is expected to revolutionize digital payment convenience for travelers, making it easier and faster for them to access goods and services in both countries. The partnership aims to provide secure and frictionless payments across a range of businesses including retail outlets, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other merchant establishments. By offering a familiar and trusted method of payment, the initiative will empower consumers while contributing to the growth of digital payment infrastructure.

The collaboration is set to expand digital payment options for consumers and enhance business operations by promoting ease of payment acceptance. It aligns with the broader vision of increasing financial inclusion and promoting regional payment interoperability in line with ASEAN’s goals. By leveraging UPI’s real-time transaction capabilities and the KHQR network’s wide merchant base, both parties are committed to creating a seamless cross-border payment experience.

This partnership will also pave the way for further financial innovation in both India and Cambodia, making cross-border payments more efficient and accessible. With the rapidly growing tourism industry in both nations, the partnership is expected to contribute to increased travel between India and Cambodia, driven by the appeal of simplified payment methods.

Through this collaboration, the two institutions aim to support a wide range of digital payment solutions, which are becoming increasingly vital in today’s connected world. The initiative also underscores the role of digital payment platforms in modernizing financial systems and increasing connectivity between countries.

In addition to the convenience for travelers, the partnership has significant economic implications. It is expected to stimulate local economies by promoting tourism and supporting businesses in both countries. Digital payments are becoming increasingly popular globally, and this collaboration helps position both India and Cambodia as leaders in the evolution of digital payment systems.

The partnership represents a key milestone in NIPL’s efforts to expand India’s real-time payment systems globally. NIPL, which was established in 2020, plays a key role in promoting India’s UPI and RuPay payment systems in international markets, offering technological support, consulting, and licensing to other countries looking to develop domestic payment systems. Through this collaboration with ACLEDA Bank, NIPL is furthering its mission to create a more interconnected and interoperable global payment system.

ACLEDA Bank, with its extensive network of over 6.18 million customers across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, brings a wealth of experience in facilitating digital payments. Its ACLEDA Super App serves more than 5.35 million mobile app users and enables a wide range of financial services, including QR code payments, mobile banking, and more. By connecting with NIPL’s UPI network, ACLEDA Bank enhances the reach of its payment systems to serve both local and international customers, boosting digital payment adoption.

The partnership between NIPL and ACLEDA Bank marks a significant advancement in cross-border payment technology, offering enhanced convenience for travelers and businesses alike. As the digital payment landscape continues to evolve, this collaboration is poised to drive greater adoption of secure, real-time payment systems, while strengthening economic ties between India and Cambodia.