Bank Windhoek, Letshego go live on WayaMe network
The instant payment network has processed its first live government grant payments, with Bank Windhoek and Letshego Bank Namibia becoming the first certified institutions to go live on the platform.
Bank Windhoek processed the first batch of government grant payments on Wednesday 17 June 2026, disbursing funds to banking customers under the Marginalised Beneficiaries category in near real time. Letshego Bank Namibia has separately completed the Government-to-Person (G2P) phase of the programme and is certified and ready to receive grant payments through the platform.
Both banks form part of the first cohort of industry participants on the Instant Payment Programme, the same group that took part in the live pilot alongside Nampost earlier this year.
Bank Windhoek MD James Chapman said the moment carried meaning beyond the technical achievement.
"Digital transformation is most meaningful when it improves lives. The successful controlled go-live implementation of G2P payments demonstrates how innovation can enhance service delivery, improve accessibility and advance financial inclusion. It reinforces Bank Windhoek's commitment to shaping the future of payments in Namibia while delivering solutions that create tangible value for the people we serve," Chapman said.
Bank Windhoek head bean counter Zenaune Kamberipa, who also chairs the bank's Instant Payment Programme, said the milestone was one the institution was proud to be part of.
"Bank Windhoek is honoured to be contributing to the modernisation of Namibia's payments ecosystem through this historic achievement," Kamberipa said, extending the bank's appreciation to the Bank of Namibia, Instant Payment Namibia and implementation partners Finacus Solutions and Change Logic for their contributions to the delivery of the milestone.
Letshego Bank Namibia Chief Executive Ester Kali said the achievement reflected a deliberate strategic choice, not just a regulatory obligation.
"We have positioned this initiative not only as a compliance requirement but as a national priority. It presents real opportunities to unlock lasting value for the nation," Kali said.
Instant Payments Namibia COO Marsorry Ickua said Letshego's progress was an encouraging sign for the broader rollout.
"The completion of this phase confirms that the programme is gaining traction and that institutions are stepping up to build Namibia's digital payments future," Ickua said.
What comes next
The G2P go-live is the first in a phased rollout. Bank Windhoek will expand its G2P capabilities to additional grant categories in the coming months before progressing to broader instant payment services for individuals, businesses and merchants.
Letshego is developing the next wave of services including person-to-person transfers, business-to-business payments and cash-in and cash-out capabilities, building on the G2P foundation to extend instant, affordable payments beyond grant recipients.
The milestone also places Namibia among a small group of countries outside India to have adopted Unified Payment Interface-enabled technology, the same payment architecture that underpins India's mass digital payments ecosystem.
Background
The instant payment drive has its roots in a deliberate policy decision by the Bank of Namibia to treat payment infrastructure as a public good rather than a commercial product. The central bank has described the platform as comparable to roads or energy grids, designed to provide low-cost, efficient services across all financial providers, particularly in rural areas and the informal economy where traditional banking has historically been limited.
Kazembire Zemburuka, the central bank's executive spokesperson, has said the platform was an instrument of economic participation. "It creates a level playing field for users, empowers communities, supports small businesses, and strengthens trust in the national payment system," Zemburuka said.
The central bank has been candid about its rationale for stepping in directly. "The bank's dual role is not a conflict; it is a responsible intervention. It is about leading with a catalytic objective where the market has lagged," Zemburuka said.
Instant Payments Namibia, a subsidiary of the Bank of Namibia, operates the platform strictly as a payment system operator, with regulated providers — banks, authorised fintechs and e-money issuers, delivering services to the public through the interoperable system.
The consumer-facing brand, WayaMe, derived from the familiar phrase "Wire Me", was unveiled earlier this year as the common national identifier for payment services powered by the platform. Speaking at the launch, Ickua described the pilot's success as a significant step in Namibia's payments modernisation journey.
"For the first time, we have demonstrated instant payments operating successfully in a live production environment, confirming that the solution is ready for implementation. This brings us one step closer to delivering a payment experience that is faster, more convenient and more accessible for all Namibians," Ickua said.
Over time, the system will support a full range of use cases including person-to-person transfers, merchant payments, business payments and the ability to withdraw funds from any wallet at any ATM. Once public interest goals — including expanded access, lower fees and stronger competition — are achieved, the Bank of Namibia plans to withdraw from direct operational involvement and transfer platform management to the industry.
