FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2026
Papua New Guineans can now open MiBank accounts, send and receive money, and top up mobile credit directly from their smartphones.
The announcement was made yesterday by Acting Minister for Information and Communications Technology, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jr., during the official rollout of the SevisWallet App in partnership with MiBank.
The SevisWallet App integrates seamlessly with the MiBank ecosystem, offering digital account opening through SevisPass biometric identity, person-to-person transfers using verified digital identities, and airtime top-ups.
Minister Tsiamalili explained that this initiative leverages the country’s high mobile penetration rate — over 70% — to bridge the gap in financial access, as an estimated 60–70% of Papua New Guineans remain unbanked, particularly in rural and remote areas.
“This initiative is part of our broader Digital Government agenda to deliver fast, simple, and accessible services to our citizens,” he said.
“At the same time, it directly supports our national financial inclusion objectives by removing barriers to participation in the formal economy.”
The Department of ICT is also working to onboard other banks into SevisWallet and integrate SevisPass across their digital ecosystems.
In parallel, efforts are underway to digitize key credentials such as university student IDs, national identification (eNID), driver’s licences, and other functional IDs, strengthening SevisPass as a trusted credential across both government and private services.
The rollout marks a significant step toward financial inclusion and digital transformation in Papua New Guinea. By harnessing mobile technology, the government aims to empower citizens with secure, convenient access to essential financial services.
Minister Tsiamalili encouraged citizens to embrace the innovation by highlighting the new capabilities available through the SevisWallet App.
He stated that Papua New Guineans can now open a MiBank account, send and receive money, and top up mobile credit directly within the MiBank ecosystem using their smartphones.
With SevisWallet now available on the Google Play Store, the initiative underscores the government’s commitment to building a digitally inclusive economy where every citizen can participate in the financial system.