QR-code payments are becoming increasingly common in Tajikistan, outnumbering traditional POS terminals by more than three to one. The Development Bank of Tajikistan is promoting a Unified QR system designed to simplify payments for businesses and reduce the need for multiple bank codes at cash registers.
Customers in some shops still face a familiar problem: to pay without cash, they must find the right bank sticker, manually enter a phone number and wait for confirmation. If several banks are involved, the process can become confusing and slow down queues.
The growing use of QR payments offers an alternative, but the proliferation of different bank codes can create difficulties for businesses, particularly when tracking and reconciling payments received through multiple banking applications.
According to the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT), cashless payments for goods and services accounted for 41% of transactions by mid-2026. The volume of such payments had increased by 97.6%.
The country had 9,425 traditional POS terminals and 33,620 installed QR codes, meaning QR codes outnumbered POS terminals by approximately 3.6 to one.
QR codes are relatively inexpensive to install and do not require the additional hardware or power supply associated with conventional terminals. However, businesses that accept payments through several banks may need to display multiple codes and track transactions across different systems.
How the Unified QR system works
The Unified QR is designed to allow customers to make payments using applications from different domestic banks through a single code, reducing the need for separate bank stickers at checkout.
The Development Bank of Tajikistan (DBT) has launched a programme to help retail businesses switch to the system in Dushanbe and other regions.
According to the bank, the programme offers several services to participating businesses:
- Free installation. The bank covers the costs of issuing and installing the Unified QR code. The transaction commission is agreed in advance in the contract.
- Online payment monitoring. Business owners and accountants can monitor sales through the bank’s corporate internet banking service without relying on SMS confirmations or checking cashiers’ phones.
- Transfer of funds to business accounts. Payments made through the DBT Unified QR are credited to the business’s current account. The bank says this helps businesses manage their cash flow.
- Assistance with setup. A dedicated business development specialist helps install the system and train staff to use it.
The availability of these services, including transaction commissions and the timing of fund transfers, is subject to the bank’s contractual terms.
Cashless payments gain ground
The expansion of QR payments reflects the broader shift toward cashless transactions in Tajikistan. Their relatively low installation costs and ease of use make them an alternative to traditional payment terminals, particularly for small retailers.
For businesses, however, the challenge is no longer simply accepting digital payments. It is also managing transactions efficiently, keeping accurate records and ensuring that customers can pay without unnecessary delays.
The Development Bank of Tajikistan says businesses can apply to connect to its Unified QR system through its website, www.brt.tj, or by calling 177.