QNB strengthens Syria's digital payment ecosystem

Doha, Qatar - The QNB Group has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paymera for Electronic Payment Services LLC to bolster Syria's digital payment landscape. This partnership seeks to enhance connectivity with global payment networks and bolster the country's financial sector.

The collaboration aims to merge Paymera's domestic electronic payment infrastructure with the QNB Group's international acquiring capabilities. By integrating local payment acceptance channels with international services, the initiative intends to broaden digital payment options for merchants and consumers alike, ultimately promoting the ongoing modernization of Syria's financial landscape.

Under the agreement, the two entities will explore opportunities to facilitate domestic card acceptance within Syria's local payment ecosystem. Furthermore, they will investigate international card acceptance through QNB's acquiring platform, thereby enabling merchants to cater to a wider customer base and offering consumers greater flexibility in their payment methods.

This MoU comes on the heels of QNB Group's achievements in advancing digital payments in Syria. In August 2026, the group and Mastercard successfully completed the country's first international card payment transaction in over a decade. Additionally, the introduction of locally issued Mastercard cards through QNB Syria in September has laid the groundwork for improved connectivity between Syria's banking infrastructure and international payment networks.

Adel Al Malki, Senior Executive Vice President of Group Retail Banking at QNB, expressed optimism about the partnership. He emphasized their shared goal of fostering a more interconnected and accessible payments ecosystem to support Syria's economic growth. Al Malki highlighted that the collaboration with Paymera represents a crucial step forward in their journey towards a more advanced digital payment infrastructure.

Ahmad Kharboutli, Chief Executive Officer of Paymera, echoed similar sentiments, noting that the alliance aims to capitalize on existing domestic payment systems and international networks to create new opportunities for businesses and consumers. Kharboutli stressed the importance of strengthening the connections between domestic and international payment systems to advance Syria's digital economy.