Praveen Regmi Reflects on IME Pay-Khalti Merger & Fintech Vision For Nepal
23rd July 2025, Kathmandu
In a significant move that has reshaped Nepal’s digital payment landscape, the recent merger of IME Pay and Khalti into IME Khalti Limited marks a pivotal moment, not just for the companies involved but also for the individuals who steered their growth.
Praveen Regmi Reflects IME Pay-Khalti Merger
Praveen Regmi, now a Director at IME Khalti Limited, offers a profound reflection on this historic merger and his 2.5-year tenure as Chief Executive of IME Pay. His insights illuminate the challenges, triumphs, and the overarching vision for the future of fintech in Nepal.
Regmi’s journey as IME Pay’s CEO was, by his admission, a period that “gave me purpose, tested every ounce of resilience, and gifted me a team I will forever be proud of.” The merger, while a strategic step forward, also represented a personal farewell to a chapter that saw IME Pay grow into a formidable force in the digital payments sector. As the team transitioned to the new merged entity’s office, Regmi’s departure from his executive role was marked by a quiet yet emotional ceremony. In a deeply personal gesture, he handed over tokens of appreciation to his senior management team, each item a testament to “stories of challenges overcome and milestones achieved together.”
In a poignant note shared with his team, Regmi encapsulated their collective mission: “Together, we fought a relentless war against cash, one transaction at a time — transforming not just our numbers but an entire ecosystem.” He emphasized their ability to “face the churn, the change, the chaos — and stood taller every time,” highlighting a unique culture where “wisdom met innovation — where KPIs lived alongside Ramayan, Mahabharat and AI.” This blend of traditional values with cutting-edge technology speaks volumes about the ethos fostered under his leadership.
The merger ceremony itself brought a moment of significant recognition for Regmi, as he was “humbled to receive a Token of Appreciation from the Deputy Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB),” presented in the esteemed presence of IME Group Nepal’s Founders and Board of Directors. This acknowledgment, he notes, is something he will carry with “quiet pride and deeper responsibility,” underscoring the weight of the trust placed in him.
Beyond formal accolades, Regmi was particularly moved by the “heartfelt messages from industry veterans, senior leaders, peers, and former colleagues.” These messages, acknowledging “the courage behind this merger and the long-term vision it represents for fintech in Nepal,” reaffirmed the strategic importance and potential impact of the IME Pay and Khalti integration.
As Praveen Regmi embarks on his new role on the Board of IME Khalti Limited, his reflections offer valuable insights into the dedication, resilience, and collaborative spirit required to drive significant change in the financial technology sector.
His journey exemplifies a commitment to not just business growth, but also to fostering a strong team culture and contributing to the broader economic transformation of Nepal through digital innovation. His enduring message to his team, “thank you for the journey,” and to the future, “I’ll be cheering — and contributing — from a different corner of the same mission,” resonates as a testament to his continued passion for Nepal’s digital future.
IME Khalti Limited: A New Era in Nepalese Digital Payments
IME Khalti Limited is the newly formed entity resulting from the landmark merger of two prominent Nepalese digital wallets, IME Pay and Khalti. This historic unification, officially commenced on July 17, 2025, marks the first such consolidation in Nepal’s rapidly evolving fintech sector.
The merged company, operating its primary app under the unified brand “Khalti by IME,” now stands as the largest digital wallet in Nepal by both user base and paid-up capital, boasting over 12.7 million customers and a paid-up capital exceeding NPR 540 million. This strategic move aims to combine IME Pay’s strong legacy in remittance services and widespread agent network with Khalti’s innovative features popular among younger users, like movie ticketing and event bookings.
IME Khalti Limited is set to offer a more seamless, secure, and comprehensive digital payment experience for Nepalese users. The merger is expected to significantly enhance digital financial inclusion across the country, streamline services, and foster greater innovation within the fintech ecosystem. Existing users of both platforms can easily migrate their accounts, balances, and reward points to the new “Khalti by IME” app, signifying a new chapter in Nepal’s digital economy.
For more: Praveen Regmi Reflects IME Pay-Khalti Merger
