NIPL, in collaboration with Lyra, a prominent French e-commerce and payment security leader, has unveiled the acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in France, commencing with the renowned Eiffel Tower. The announcement, made during an event organized by the Indian Embassy in France to celebrate Republic Day, holds particular significance as Indian tourists rank as the second-largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower.
This development allows Indian tourists to seamlessly purchase Eiffel Tower tickets online using UPI, streamlining the transaction process. The innovative payment method enables secure online transactions, where users can utilize their UPI-powered apps to scan a QR code on the merchant website and initiate payments. Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, expressed the company’s ambition to facilitate the acceptance of NPCI’s payment solutions globally, creating an interoperable global payment system. The strategic partnership with Lyra marks a significant step toward this goal.
Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, conveyed pride in launching UPI in Europe, highlighting their 17-year presence in India and emphasizing the partnership’s strength. This collaboration not only signifies their ability to stay ahead of market trends but also opens new business opportunities in the French and European tourism ecosystem.
With over 380 million users, UPI has gained substantial traction in India, evident in its recent milestones. In January 2024, UPI recorded over 12.2 billion transactions, reinforcing its position as the world’s most efficient instant payment system. This move to introduce UPI in France reflects the growing global influence and adoption of India’s robust digital payment solutions.
