Wednesday 16th October, 2027
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Kina Bank have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to work together in improving digital banking and payment systems for the Government of Papua New Guinea.
The signing took place at the Kina Bank Boardroom in Konedobu and marks the start of a partnership that will help strengthen government digital services and promote financial inclusion across the country.
Speaking during the signing, Secretary for ICT, Mr. Steven Matainaho, said the partnership is an important step toward advancing PNG’s digital transformation goals.
“We want to work with the best, and Kina Bank is one of the leading banks in digital banking. Our aim is to make government services fast, simple, and clear. This MoU allows us to explore digital payment systems and digital ID integration to make government services more efficient and accessible,” he said.
Mr. Matainaho also highlighted that this was the first time the Department signed an MoU with a commercial bank, saying it reflects the government’s growing collaboration with the private sector to drive innovation.
Kina Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ivan Vidovich, said the partnership is a proud moment for the bank and an important step toward improving access to financial services for all Papua New Guineans.
“Digitizing services across both the public and private sectors helps make them more accessible and affordable for everyone. This partnership is about access, ensuring that citizens and businesses can easily engage with government services online,” he said.
He added that Kina Bank is committed to innovation and transformation in the financial sector, aiming to make banking services more convenient, secure, and cost-effective.
“At Kina Bank, we see ourselves as a digital disruptor, always looking for new ways to make things simpler and more efficient. Working with DICT gives us the opportunity to share knowledge, learn from each other, and create real value for the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.
Through the partnership, DICT and Kina Bank will work together to design and implement digital payment systems, online banking solutions, and secure platforms to support government-to-citizen (G2C) and government-to-business (G2B) transactions.
The collaboration will also include training and capacity building for DICT staff to effectively use and manage the digital systems being developed.
Both parties agreed that the initiative will support the Government’s long-term vision of building a digitally inclusive society, one where every citizen, regardless of location, can access financial and government services with ease.