ASTANA – Kazakhstan is working to launch cross-border QR-code payments with 11 countries, including China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and India, Deputy Governor and Digital Transformation Adviser of the National Bank Binur Zhalenov said at a Sept. 15 government briefing on the development of the digital assets ecosystem.
Deputy Governor and Digital Transformation Adviser of the National Bank Binur Zhalenov. Photo credit: PM’s press service.
According to Zhalenov, separate road maps have been developed with each country to integrate national payment systems and establish cross-border QR payments.
“Among the countries we are working with, there are 11. I will not list all of them, but they include China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, we signed a memorandum last week, the Kyrgyz Republic and India. We have a corresponding road map with each of these countries,” Zhalenov said.
QR payment pilot with China planned for 2026
The timeline for launching the service will vary depending on the country. Testing and pilot projects with some partners are expected to begin before the end of 2026. China is among the countries where such testing is planned this year.
If the pilot is successful, Kazakh citizens could be able to use the mobile application of any bank in Kazakhstan to make QR-code payments in China as early as next year.
“If testing and piloting go well, next year Kazakh citizens will have the opportunity to pay through the application of any bank using QR in China, and vice versa,” Zhalenov said.
The National Bank expects the pace of integration to differ across partner countries. While some systems could be connected next year, others may require up to two years to complete the necessary technical and regulatory work.
“When we have a clearer picture regarding all 11 countries or other countries that may be added, we will certainly provide a separate communication,” Zhalenov said.
