SCT Partners CityTech: Revolutionizing Digital Payment Acceptance in Nepal via FinPOS

6th April 2026, Kathmandu

The landscape of digital finance in Nepal is undergoing a seismic shift. In a move that promises to redefine how merchants and financial institutions handle transactions, SmartChoice Technologies (SCT) has officially announced a strategic partnership with CityTech Group Pvt. Ltd.

SCT Partners CityTech

This collaboration is specifically designed to integrate SCT’s robust payment switching infrastructure with CityTech’s cutting-edge FinPOS hardware.

As the demand for contactless and digital payments surges, the SCT Partners CityTech initiative emerges as a critical milestone in building a more inclusive, efficient, and modern “Cashless Nepal.”

The Strategic Vision: Why SCT Partners CityTech Matters

For over two decades, SmartChoice Technologies has been at the forefront of the Nepalese payment industry. As the country’s first domestic card scheme, SCT has provided the backbone for secure inter-bank transactions.

However, the hardware side of the equation, specifically Point of Sale (POS) terminals, has often faced challenges regarding high costs, fragmented software, and limited compatibility with diverse card schemes.

By choosing to partner with CityTech Group, SCT is addressing these pain points directly. CityTech’s FinPOS is not just a card reader; it is a sophisticated Android-based terminal capable of running complex applications while maintaining world-class security standards. This partnership merges SCT’s financial “brain” with CityTech’s technical “brawn.”

FinPOS: The Game-Changer in Payment Acceptance

The core of this partnership revolves around the FinPOS device. Historically, merchants in Nepal often had to keep multiple devices on their counters—one for Visa, one for UnionPay, and perhaps a separate stand for QR codes.

The SCT Partners CityTech integration solves this by turning the FinPOS device into an all-in-one payment hub. Through SCT’s integrated platform, these devices can now seamlessly accept:

International Card Schemes: Comprehensive support for Visa and UnionPay, ensuring that international travelers and premium cardholders can transact without friction.

Domestic Payment Networks: Full compatibility with NepalPay and other local card variants, supporting the government’s push for domestic payment self-reliance.

Dynamic QR Codes: Unlike static QR stickers that are prone to tampering, FinPOS generates a Dynamic QR via SmartQR. This means the specific amount is embedded in the code, reducing manual entry errors and speeding up the checkout process.

Empowering Banks and Financial Institutions

The SCT Partners CityTech alliance isn’t just a win for merchants; it is a massive strategic advantage for Nepalese banks and Payment Service Providers (PSPs).

Eliminating Capital Barriers

For a bank to start its own POS acquiring business, the traditional costs are astronomical. They usually need to negotiate individual memberships with international card schemes, invest in expensive switching software, and maintain rigorous security certifications. By leveraging the SCT-CityTech ecosystem, banks can “plug and play.”

The infrastructure is already certified and connected, allowing smaller banks and cooperatives to offer high-end POS services to their local merchants without the heavy upfront investment.

Streamlined Security and Compliance

In the world of fintech, security is non-negotiable. FinPOS terminals are designed with high-level encryption and meet global PCI-DSS standards. Because SCT manages the backend switching, the burden of security auditing is significantly reduced for the participating bank.

Modernizing the Merchant Experience

For a business owner in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Biratnagar, the priority is simple: never miss a sale. When SCT partners CityTech, the merchant receives a device that is:

User-Friendly: The Android-based interface of FinPOS is as intuitive as a smartphone.

Scalable: As the business grows, the software on the device can be updated to support new loyalty programs, inventory management, or new payment methods.

Reliable: With SCT’s proven 20-year track record of uptime, merchants can trust that their transactions will process smoothly even during peak shopping hours.

Strengthening the “Brand Nepal” Identity

This partnership also aligns with the broader national goal of promoting Nepalese innovation. While many payment technologies are imported, the customization and local integration handled by SCT ensure that the solution is tailored specifically for the Nepalese regulatory environment and consumer behavior.

By supporting SmartQR and domestic card schemes alongside international ones, the collaboration ensures that Nepal remains technologically sovereign while staying connected to the global financial grid.

About the Collaborators

SmartChoice Technologies (SCT)

SCT is synonymous with the evolution of digital banking in Nepal. As a licensed Payment System Operator (PSO), it currently supports:

24+ Banks and 100+ Cooperatives: Issuing SCT-UnionPay and VISA cards.

Smart Switch: The engine that powers inter-bank connectivity.

Smart Banking: A comprehensive mobile banking suite used by millions.

CityTech Group & FinPOS

CityTech Group is a pioneer in bringing next-generation fintech hardware to the Himalayan nation. Their FinPOS line is celebrated for its versatility, combining biometric capabilities, thermal printing, and high-speed connectivity into a single, sleek device.

Conclusion: A New Era of Financial Connectivity

The announcement that SCT partners CityTech marks a turning point for the industry. It removes the technical and financial hurdles that have previously slowed the adoption of POS technology in smaller towns and among SME traders.

As these FinPOS devices begin to roll out across the country, fueled by SCT’s secure network, the vision of a digitally empowered Nepal moves one step closer to reality.

For banks, it’s an opportunity for growth; for merchants, it’s a tool for efficiency; and for consumers, it’s the ultimate convenience in the palm of their hand.

For more: SCT Partners CityTech