Windhoek: Bank Windhoek on Wednesday announced that it has processed the first batch of live government grant payments through Namibia's national instant payment network. In a media statement issued on Wednesday, the bank said beneficiaries under the marginalised beneficiaries category received their grants in near real time through the instant payment system.According to Namibia Press Agency, the development follows its certification as part of the first group of financial institutions participating in the Instant Payment Programme (IPP), positioning Namibia among the early adopters of Unified Payment Interface-enabled technology outside India.Bank Windhoek Managing Director James Chapman said digital transformation is most effective when it improves people's lives. 'The successful implementation of Government-to-Person payments demonstrates how innovation can enhance service delivery, improve accessibility and advance financial inclusion,' he said.The bank further noted that digital payments provide u nderserved and previously unbanked communities with greater access to the formal economy by enabling secure and efficient transactions while reducing reliance on cash. 'Over the coming months, the bank will continue to expand government-to-person payment capabilities across additional grant categories while progressing the broader rollout of instant payment services for individuals, businesses, merchants and other ecosystem participants,' the statement said.Bank Windhoek Chief Financial Officer, Zenaune Kamberipa, said the bank was honoured to contribute to the modernisation of Namibia's payment ecosystem. He also acknowledged the support of the Bank of Namibia, Instant Payment Namibia and implementation partners Finacus Solutions and Change Logic in achieving the milestone.