BENEFIT, a Bahraini provider of fintech and electronic financial transaction services, and Ant International, a global digital payment and financial technology provider headquartered in Singapore, have partnered to launch cross-border QR payments in Bahrain by 2026. This collaboration aims to integrate Bahrain’s BENEFIT QR payment scheme with Ant International’s global wallet gateway, Alipay+, supporting the transition towards a more inclusive digital payments ecosystem.\n\nThe partnership is formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which both entities will explore and develop innovative cross-border payment solutions connecting Bahrain with global markets. This initiative seeks to foster greater financial integration and establish a comprehensive cross-border payment framework aligned with global fintech advancements.\n\nThrough this collaboration, over 15,000 merchants in Bahrain will be equipped to accept inbound cross-border QR payments from Alipay+ international payment partners. Alipay+ currently facilitates connections for over 1.8 billion user accounts across more than 40 digital payment partners to over 150 million merchants in more than 100 markets.\n\nAdditionally, BENEFIT and Ant International will explore the future introduction of outbound payment capabilities via the Alipay+ solution. This development would enable Bahraini consumers to utilize their preferred local payment methods through the BENEFIT network, which connects every bank in the country, for seamless digital payments at millions of Alipay+ enabled merchants internationally.\n\nThe collaboration also includes the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise, alongside joint marketing initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and promoting the adoption of fintech solutions among individuals and businesses.\n\nMr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, Chief Executive of BENEFIT, stated that this partnership aligns with BENEFIT’s strategic vision to expand its global presence and strengthen Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for fintech and advanced digital payment solutions. He noted that the collaboration with Ant International would contribute to building an advanced infrastructure linking local and international markets, offering users secure, seamless, and world-class payment experiences. Mr. AlJanahi further described the initiative as a pivotal step towards developing innovative financial solutions that enhance cross-border payments and accelerate digital transformation within the financial sector, cementing BENEFIT’s role in shaping Bahrain’s financial ecosystem in line with the Kingdom’s vision for a knowledge-based digital economy. He added that this collaboration forms part of BENEFIT’s broader strategy to establish an effective bridge between national payment systems and leading international platforms, attracting high-value investments and strategic partnerships to the national economy.\n\nMr. Pietro Candela, General Manager of EMEA for Alipay+, commented on the honor of collaborating with BENEFIT, identifying it as a prominent Middle East fintech and digital payments institution. He affirmed the joint goal to empower local merchants of all sizes to accept payments from international travelers served by Alipay+’s partner wallets, while also working towards enabling BENEFIT customers to access Alipay+ services in international markets in the future.\n\nThe upcoming launch of Alipay+ in Bahrain follows Ant International’s recent expansions in the Middle East this year, including the establishment of its first Middle East office in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to broaden regional partnerships. Beyond Bahrain, Alipay+ is integrated into 10 national QR payment schemes across countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Cambodia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.\n\nBENEFIT, established in 1997 and licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), serves as an ancillary service provider to Bahrain’s financial services industry. Owned by banks in Bahrain and regulated by the CBB, BENEFIT provides innovative payment capabilities, information management solutions, and business process outsourcing services across various sectors in Bahrain and the region. Its services, supported by GCCNet in regional countries, include ATM and POS operations, Credit Reference Bureau, Payment Gateway, national eWallet (BenefitPay), and national eKYC Platform, among others.\n\nAnt International, headquartered in Singapore with operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, is a global digital payment, digitization, and financial technology provider. Its platform supports financial institutions and merchants in achieving inclusive growth through digital payment and financial services solutions. Alipay+, an Ant International service, is a global wallet gateway offering cross-border payment and digitization services that connect global merchants to consumers, enabling seamless payments and digital services for travelers using their preferred payment apps.