QNB, Paymera partner to advance Syria’s digital payments ecosystem

In Doha, Qatar, QNB Group, a prominent financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Paymera to explore digital payment services advancements in Syria. The collaboration aims to enhance the country's digital payment infrastructure and bolster connectivity with global payment networks.

QNB Syria, a subsidiary of QNB Group, and Paymera will jointly assess possibilities for local card acceptance within Syria's payment ecosystem and international card acceptance through QNB's acquiring platform. This approach could benefit merchants by enabling them to serve a broader customer base while providing consumers with a greater variety and convenience in payment methods.

The MoU further builds upon QNB Group's recent digital payment progress in Syria. In August 2026, QNB Group and Mastercard facilitated the country's first international card transaction in over 15 years. Additionally, in September 2026, QNB Syria launched locally issued Mastercard cards, establishing a foundation for stronger integration between Syria's domestic banking system and international payment networks.

Adel Al-Malki, Senior Executive Vice President of QNB Group's Group Retail Banking, emphasized the ambition to foster a more interconnected and accessible payment ecosystem that supports Syria's economic growth. He highlighted the collaboration with Paymera as a means to advance that journey. Ahmad Kharboutli, CEO of Paymera, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of connecting domestic payment infrastructure with international networks to bolster Syria's digital economy and make digital transactions more accessible and convenient for businesses and consumers.

The MoU signing ceremony in Doha was attended by senior representatives from QNB Group, QNB Syria, and Paymera, underscoring the commitment of all parties to innovate and develop financial sector solutions through modern payment technologies.