Bank Windhoek has begun piloting Government-to-Person social grant payments under Namibia’s national Instant Payment Programme, positioning itself among the first institutions to implement the new system.
The bank participated in a high-level engagement with Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah, Bank of Namibia Governor Ebson Uanguta, Deputy Governor Leonie Dunn and other industry players forming part of the first rollout cohort.
The discussions centred on operational readiness and progress in implementing digital government payments through Instant Payments Namibia, the entity established to run the country’s instant payment infrastructure.
Bank Windhoek, together with the central bank and two other institutions, is testing social grant payments on the new platform to assess efficiency, security and system stability ahead of full implementation.
The initial phase will target a limited group of beneficiaries who already receive social grants or pensions into bank accounts and are familiar with digital channels. Authorities say the phased approach is designed to ensure the system functions properly before expanding it nationwide.
Regulators have also introduced centralised fraud management controls within the IPN environment, operationalised a national dispute management framework and gazetted transaction fees linked to instant payments.
Shafudah described the programme as central to modernising Namibia’s financial system and supporting the shift from cash-based government payments to secure, low-cost digital channels.
Managing Director James Chapman said the Instant Payment Programme strengthens financial inclusion, transparency and economic resilience.
“Digitisation must be done responsibly. By prioritising system stability, affordability and beneficiary readiness, we can ensure this initiative delivers sustainable value for all Namibians,” he said.
This article was first published here in partnership with The Brief