Riyadh – The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Ant International have announced plans to launch cross-border QR code payments between Saudi Arabia’s national payment scheme, mada, and Ant International’s global wallet gateway, Alipay+, starting in 2026. The move is set to accelerate digitisation, empower SMEs, and support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of financial inclusion and tourism growth.
Through the integration, local merchants will be able to accept payments from Alipay+’s international partners, connecting Saudi businesses to over 1.7 billion user accounts across 36 digital wallets worldwide. With Alipay+ already linked to more than 100 million merchants in 70 markets, this rollout will provide global consumers with seamless transactions while boosting opportunities for Saudi retailers.
Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, said the initiative aligns with Vision 2030’s ambition to transform the Kingdom into a global tourism and innovation hub. He emphasized the potential of tourism as an engine for growth and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering a thriving digital economy.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to achieve 70% non-cash transactions and attract 150 million visitors by 2030. Having already surpassed 100 million tourists in 2024, the country is leveraging digital payments as a key enabler of sustainable economic diversification.
Ant International has been strengthening its Saudi presence, launching its Antom unified merchant solution after receiving a PTSP certificate from SAMA, and opening its first Middle East office in Riyadh earlier this year. The Alipay+ launch in Saudi Arabia follows similar integrations with national payment systems in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Cambodia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
