International Standard ISO 20022

International Standard ISO 20022

Previously, payment systems in Kazakhstan used messaging formats based on SWIFT (MT formats). Information exchange in these formats was carried out through predefined fields that allowed inclusion of specific data, with content limited by a fixed number of characters. These formats lacked flexibility, and transmitting additional information required modifications to both payment systems and participants’ internal information systems.

At the same time, the SWIFT interbank messaging system had also planned a transition from the currently used SWIFT MT messages to SWIFT MX messages, which are designed in accordance with the ISO 20022 methodology.

The ISO 20022 standard is an international standard that establishes unified rules and formats for financial messages exchanged between banks and financial institutions when executing payments and/or money transfers. The standard’s methodology provides for unified modeling and design of business processes for electronic financial messaging, as well as standardized message formats.

This standard enables the inclusion and transmission of extended data within payment messages required by various financial market participants, supports cross-border payments in a single format without the need for message conversion into domestic standards, and expands the use of electronic documents within the financial sector.

Between 2014 and 2025, the National Payment Corporation of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the National Bank of Kazakhstan, financial market participants, and government authorities, carried out extensive work to implement the ISO 20022 international standard for payments and/or money transfers within the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The ISO 20022 project was implemented as part of the National Payment System Development Program of Kazakhstan until 2025, approved by Resolution No. 133 of the Board of the National Bank dated November 30, 2020.

Key implementation measures included:

• Establishment of a working group involving central (national) banks of EAEU member states to develop a common payment space within the EAEU

• Approval of the ISO 20022 project concept and implementation roadmaps

• Analysis of international best practices and adaptation of ISO 20022 in line with national legislation

• Formation of a dedicated working group for implementing ISO 20022 in Kazakhstan’s payment systems

• Development of mapping tables between MT and MX message types, along with examples of new formats across payment and information messages

• Modernization of the software and technical infrastructure of payment systems, as well as information systems of government authorities and financial institutions

• Approval of payment document forms and electronic message formats (templates) in accordance with ISO 20022 methodology

• Alignment of electronic message formats used in government information systems (IS “ISNA”, IS “AIS”, and the e-Government Payment Gateway)

• Provision of advisory and methodological support, including training webinars for government bodies and payment system participants on ISO 20022 implementation

On January 13, 2025, Kazakhstan simultaneously transitioned to the ISO 20022 international standard for payments and/or money transfers. Kazakhstan became the first country in Central Asia to adopt new universal financial messaging formats.

Following the transition to ISO 20022, in Kazakhstan:

• Standardization and automation of payment processing have further improved the efficiency of national payment systems, as well as the speed and security of financial transactions

• New payment message formats ensure transparency of payment flows and accurate identification of participants by enabling the transmission of a broader range of information, including data on third parties involved in payments

• Payment messaging formats are aligned with global standards and no longer require conversion from legacy formats for international transactions

The use of a unified format for cross-border payments facilitates expansion and harmonization of integration with international financial institutions, supporting further development of the country’s financial infrastructure

1. Documentation developed within the EAEU framework ← download documentation archive
2. MT and MX format mapping table ← download table
3. ISO 20022 glossary of terms ← download glossary
4. Approved internal regulatory documents of NJSC “NPC NBK” ← download IRD archive
5. XSD schemas for payment messages ← download schema archive
6. XSD schemas for informational messages ← download schema archive
7. Message examples ← download examples archive

Contact details for ISO 20022 methodology inquiries:
+7 (727) 297 9192, +7 (727) 297 9128