{
  "id": 6113953,
  "title": "Qatar Central Bank joins Gulf Payments System, AFAQ",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/qatar-central-bank-joins-gulf-payments-system-afaq",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-07T07:07:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar Business",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar-business",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/07/09/2026/qatar-central-bank-joins-gulf-payments-system-afaq"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Doha, Qatar: Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced on Monday its participation in the AFAQ Payments System, run by the Gulf Payments Company (GPC). This move completes the inclusion of all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) central banks in the system, bolstering financial and monetary integration across the GCC states.\n\nThree Qatari commercial banks - Doha Bank, Qatar International Islamic Bank, and Dukhan Bank - have already joined the AFAQ system, marking them as the first Qatari banks to take part. This brings the total number of participating banks from across the GCC to 74.\n\nThe QCB's involvement in the AFAQ system is a significant step for the Gulf payments ecosystem. It completes the participation of all GCC central banks, enhancing connectivity of payment infrastructure and promoting efficiency, speed, and security in cross-border payments and financial transfers.\n\nThis move aligns with the broader efforts of GCC countries to develop regional payment solutions that support trade, business, and investment flows. These solutions are designed to strengthen economic and financial integration among the member states.\n\nMoving forward, the expansion of commercial banks' participation in the AFAQ system and the continued development of the system's services across the GCC region are expected. This represents a further stride towards a more integrated and efficient Gulf payments ecosystem, reinforcing financial connectivity among the member states and supporting their shared goals of long-term economic and financial integration.",
  "summary": "<p>Doha, Qatar: Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced on Monday that it had joined AFAQ Payments System, operated by the Gulf Payments Company (GPC).</p> <p>This completes the participation of the central banks of all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the system, further strengthening financial and monetary integration among the GCC states.</p> <p>Three Qatari commercial banks, namely,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf Times Business",
        "title": "Qatar Central Bank joins the Gulf Payments System AFAQ",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/qatar-central-bank-joins-the-gulf-payments-system-afaq",
        "published": "2026-09-07T06:56:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}