{
  "id": 7597838,
  "title": "Qatar Central Bank announces the acceptance of “Himyan” and “mada” cards in Qatar and Saudi Arabia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/qatar-central-bank-announces-the-acceptance-of-himyan-and-mada-cards",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-15T17:11:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar Business",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar-business",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/15/09/2026/qatar-central-bank-announces-the-acceptance-of-himyan-and-mada-cards-in-qatar-and-saudi-arabia"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Qatar Central Bank, in collaboration with the Saudi Central Bank, will now accept national payment cards \"Himyan\" and \"mada\" in both Qatar and Saudi Arabia. This development signifies a significant step in enhancing cooperation and integration between the two countries' payment systems.\n\nThe news was announced at a ceremony during the Money20/20 Middle East 2026 conference in Riyadh, attended by the Qatar Central Bank Governor, H.E. Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani, and the Saudi Central Bank Governor, H.E. Mr. Ayman bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Sayari.\n\nThe acceptance process follows the completion of necessary technical and operational integrations, allowing cardholders to use their Himyan and mada cards for payments and access payment services when all integration phases are approved. This move aims to streamline cross-border payments and increase access to national payment solutions.\n\nBy strengthening connectivity between Qatar and Saudi Arabia's payment ecosystems, this cooperation will facilitate more efficient and seamless financial transactions across the border. It also underscores the countries' dedication to advancing their payment infrastructure and fostering integration within their financial systems. Ultimately, this partnership supports the digital transformation of the region's financial sector, improving the efficiency, convenience, and accessibility of payment services for all citizens and businesses.",
  "summary": "<p> </p> <p>Riyadh: Qatar Central Bank, in cooperation with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), is pleased to announce the commencement of acceptance of the national payment card “Himyan” in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi national payment network “mada” card in the State of Qatar, marking a new milestone in advancing cooperation and integration between the national payment systems of the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi and Qatari payment cards now accepted in both countries",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/saudi-and-qatari-payment-cards-now-accepted-in-both-countries",
        "published": "2026-09-15T13:28:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}