People travelling between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan could soon be able to pay for purchases using their usual banking apps. Central banks from the five countries are working on linking their national payment systems.
Representatives of the five countries’ central banks have agreed to develop mechanisms for connecting national QR payment systems. The discussions took place during a regional meeting in Tajikistan.
The initiative is expected to make cross-border payments easier for both travellers and businesses. Once integrated, customers could scan QR codes and pay for goods and services abroad directly through their existing mobile banking applications.
For example, a customer from Uzbekistan visiting Kazakhstan could use their regular banking app to make a QR payment. The same service would be available to visitors from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Azerbaijan.
The central banks have agreed to establish a working group to examine how their national payment platforms can interact. Its work will focus on connecting instant payment systems, standardising QR payment formats and ensuring compatibility between different national infrastructures.
The group is also expected to prepare a roadmap for the gradual integration of the systems. According to Kazakhstan’s National Bank, the countries have agreed to work out specific mechanisms for QR payment interoperability by the end of 2026.
The countries also considered ways to exchange information about financial fraud and cyber threats. The use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in payment supervision was another topic on the agenda.
Kazakhstan presented its experience with digital financial infrastructure, including its digital tenge, open banking and interbank mobile payment system. Kyrgyzstan also introduced its national ELQR standard and plans for a fast payment system.
The initiative is still at the development stage. The working group must determine how the different payment systems will connect and establish common technical and security requirements.
No launch date has been announced. However, the planned integration could make everyday payments across Central Asia and Azerbaijan more convenient, while strengthening cooperation between the region’s financial systems.
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