eSewa marks 17th year, expands digital payment innovation in Nepal
Operating under its core motto “Everyone, Always, Together,” eSewa has consistently focused on making economic activities simple, secure, and accessible for all.
KATHMANDU: Nepal’s leading digital payment service provider, eSewa, has entered its 17th year of establishment and service, completing a remarkable 16-year journey in advancing the country’s digital financial ecosystem.
Launched as a beta platform in 2009 and formally commencing services on Jan 25, 2010, eSewa has grown alongside Nepal’s digital economy—from introducing digital payments to playing a pivotal role in expanding digital financial inclusion nationwide.
Operating under its core motto “Everyone, Always, Together,” eSewa has consistently focused on making economic activities simple, secure, and accessible for all.
Today, the platform has become an integral part of everyday life for millions of Nepalis, offering a wide range of services including mobile top-ups, utility bill payments, flight tickets, hotel bookings, insurance purchases, movie tickets, loans, investments, and more—positioning itself as a comprehensive digital financial platform.
Leadership Reaffirms Commitment to Innovation and Trust
Speaking at the 17th Anniversary and Innovation Day program, eSewa Chair Pashuram Kunwar Kshetri stated that the company remains committed to continuously enhancing the quality, security, and reliability of its services as Nepal’s leading payment service provider.
He emphasized that eSewa will continue to work closely with regulatory bodies, users, society, and all stakeholders to expand digital financial services and contribute positively to the nation.
Similarly, Chief Executive Officer Jagdish Khadka highlighted that eSewa has always moved forward with the principle of inclusive growth.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, he noted that eSewa’s 17 years demonstrate that a homegrown Nepali company can compete at a global level.
“Today, we are steadily establishing ourselves as a fintech company capable of competing globally. We see this achievement not as a destination, but as a foundation for future innovations,” Khadka said. “By keeping user needs and technological advancement at the center, we innovate every day and remain committed to contributing more responsibly to Nepal’s digital future.”
Focus on Financial Inclusion and Digital Nepal
Throughout its journey, eSewa has prioritized fast, secure, and convenient payment services, with financial inclusion as a core objective. The company reaffirmed its commitment to:
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Expanding participation of all social groups in the digital economy through user-centric innovation
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Simplifying payment experiences for users, agents, and merchants
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Making tangible contributions toward the vision of Digital Nepal
Three New User-Centric Features Launched on the 17th Anniversary
To mark its 17th anniversary, eSewa announced the launch of three new features, further strengthening accessibility, speed, and social interaction within the platform:
1. eSewa TalkBack
eSewa has introduced TalkBack, a dedicated feature for visually impaired and low-vision users, becoming Nepal’s first payment service provider to do so.
The feature converts on-screen content into voice, enabling users to easily understand and operate buttons, labels, and functions.
Available in both Nepali and English, TalkBack empowers visually impaired users to independently use digital financial services, promoting digital financial freedom and inclusion.
2. Intent-Based Payment
With the launch of Intent-Based Payment, eSewa has made digital transactions faster and frictionless.
This system completes payments based on the user’s payment intent, allowing transactions to begin directly from the point of payment.
When users click “Pay with eSewa” on a merchant’s app or website, the eSewa app opens instantly, or payments are approved via device-level authentication such as fingerprint or Face ID—eliminating the need for MPINs, passwords, or OTPs. This reduces drop-offs during payment and enables secure transactions within seconds.
3. eSewa Circle Chat
A chat feature has now been added to eSewa Circle, enhancing social interaction within the app. Users can add friends, create groups, split bills, send gifts, comment, and react—all within the same platform.
The feature removes the need to switch to other apps after group transactions, while persistent group chats ensure smoother communication and coordination among friends.
