The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Ant International have announced a strategic collaboration to introduce cross-border QR code payments between Saudi Arabia’s national payment scheme, mada, and Ant International’s global wallet gateway, Alipay+, starting in 2026.
This initiative aims to accelerate digitization and foster inclusive growth for local merchants across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). By integrating Alipay+ with mada, Saudi Arabian businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), will gain the capability to accept QR payments from users of Alipay+’s international payment partners.
Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “We are deeply honoured to support the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 and build on the strong digital infrastructure by SAMA to enhance payment connectivity and boost Saudi Arabia’s status as a global tourism hub.” He added, “Tourism is a powerful force for economic growth and cultural connectivity. Through such joint innovations across public and private sectors, we can unlock more opportunities and help local businesses and communities flourish, while creating a more seamless experience for global consumers.”
Alipay+ currently facilitates connections for over 1.7 billion user accounts across 36 payment partners with more than 100 million merchants operating in 70 markets globally. This integration expands its reach into a key Middle Eastern market.
The collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious plan launched in 2016 to diversify the economy and create a dynamic environment for residents and visitors alike. Digital payments and tourism are core pillars of this vision, which includes a target of 70 percent non-cash transactions by 2030 and attracting 150 million visitors to generate new economic opportunities. The Kingdom has already surpassed 100 million domestic and international tourists in 2024, ahead of its scheduled target, and secured the top global ranking for tourism revenue growth.
Mr. Feagin also noted, “This agreement deepens our presence and commitment to Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to working to promote QR payments locally as we build a thriving digital future for the Kingdom.”
This upcoming launch follows recent milestones for Ant International in KSA this year, including its unified merchant payment solution, Antom, receiving a Payment Technical Service Provider (PTSP) certificate from SAMA, and the establishment of Ant International’s first Middle East office in Riyadh. Beyond Saudi Arabia, Alipay+ is also integrated with national payment schemes in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Cambodia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Ant International, headquartered in Singapore with operations spanning Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, specializes in digital payment, digitization, and financial technology services. Its unified techfin platform aims to support financial institutions and merchants in achieving inclusive growth. Alipay+, a service from Ant International, provides a unified wallet gateway and cross-border payment solutions, enabling global merchants to connect with consumers through their preferred payment apps while traveling.
