Trinidad and Tobago has entered a new phase of digital transformation with the National Payment and Innovation Company (NPICTT) and telecommunications provider TSTT announcing a groundbreaking strategic partnership on Wednesday. This collaboration represents the first operational implementation of the country’s national payments infrastructure, moving from theoretical development to live consumer-facing services.
The partnership achieves two significant milestones simultaneously: TSTT becomes the inaugural organization to process live payments through NPICTT’s national payments platform while also adopting Nobis as its official electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) solution. This dual implementation signals a tangible shift in how public services will be delivered digitally across the nation.
Dr. Nigel Fulchan, Chairman of NPICTT, emphasized the importance of this development: “TSTT’s onboarding as the first live payment-processing client demonstrates that our platform is fully operational and production-ready. This partnership illustrates how shared national infrastructure can strategically modernize service delivery across the state.”
Through this integration, TSTT will serve as the premier payment-processing client on the NPICTT platform, establishing itself as the official online payment channel for customer bill payments across all its brands and services. Customers will now access digital payment infrastructure that is locally owned, nationally governed, and designed for scalability across government entities.
TSTT’s Acting CEO Keino Cox highlighted the strategic importance: “This partnership allows TSTT to accelerate our digital transition in a structured and secure manner. By adopting the national payments platform and NOBIS through the Innovation Centre, we enhance customer experience while maintaining robust governance and compliance.”
Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development Kennedy Swaratsingh characterized the partnership as reflective of steady growth in national infrastructure development. “TSTT positioning itself as the first state-owned entity to adopt the NPICTT platform represents a milestone in creating a unified gateway for all public-sector financial interactions,” he stated.
The partnership establishes a replicable model for government digital transformation that reduces duplication, improves efficiency, and accelerates the rollout of digital public services. NPICTT now operates as the national payments infrastructure provider, while its Innovation Centre functions as the entry point for certified digital solutions across the public sector.
Importantly, the collaboration does not alter existing statutory or regulatory responsibilities, with TSTT maintaining full accountability for customer service delivery while NPICTT provides the shared platforms and enablement framework. This foundational partnership paves the way for additional utilities, state-owned enterprises, and ministries to adopt digital payments and secure onboarding using national infrastructure.