SAMA, Ant International Sign Agreement to Enable Acceptance of Alipay+ Payments in Saudi Arabia by 2026

   Riyadh, September 15, 2025, SPA -- The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Ant International signed an agreement today to enable the acceptance of Alipay+ payments by 2026 through the National Payment System (mada) in Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made during the Money20/20 Middle East Conference and Exhibition, held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in Malham.
   The agreement is part of SAMA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the digital payments ecosystem in Saudi Arabia, in line with the objectives of the Financial Sector Development Program, one of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs.
   This step reflects SAMA’s commitment to developing a robust digital payments infrastructure to move toward a less cash-dependent society by providing advanced digital payment solutions that align with international standards.
   Visitors to Saudi Arabia and users of global digital payment wallets linked to Alipay+ will be able to make advanced and secure payments and purchases in stores providing the service.
   Accepting Alipay+ payments is part of a series of solutions aimed at meeting the needs of the Saudi market and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a leading country in the field of FinTech solutions and digital payments worldwide.
   -- SPA