The financial technology sector in Central Asia has achieved a significant milestone with the official launch of Apple Pay across Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. According to a report by the media outlet Daryo, account holders in both nations can now utilize contactless payment capabilities by integrating their bank cards into the Apple Wallet application, eliminating the need for physical payment cards.

In Kyrgyzstan, the service has been rolled out across several major financial institutions, including Mbank, OptimaBank, Bakai, O!Bank, and DemirBank. Meanwhile, banking clients in Tajikistan can access the contactless framework through participating institutions such as Alif, Humo, and Aktivbank.

The introduction of this mobile payment solution enables seamless transactions at retail locations and service centers using compatible smartphones and smartwatches. This modernization initiative aligns with broader regional efforts to accelerate digital transformation within the banking sector and facilitate cashless transactions.

Concurrently, neighboring Uzbekistan is completing structural preparations to deploy both Apple Pay and Google Pay services within its domestic market. While the technical infrastructure required for Near Field Communication (NFC) transactions is fully operational, official implementation dates for the Uzbek market have not yet been finalized.