SAMA, Qatar Central Bank enable Mada–Himyan national card payments

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the Qatar Central Bank have officially announced a new initiative to enable the mutual acceptance of national payment cards between the two nations. Under this agreement, Saudi Arabia’s 'mada' payment cards and Qatar’s 'HIMYAN' cards will be integrated for use across both countries. The rollout of this service is expected to occur gradually, marking a significant step in the financial cooperation between the two Gulf states.

This initiative is part of a broader strategic objective to foster economic and financial integration within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). By expanding the acceptance of national cards, the central banks aim to streamline payment infrastructure and reduce costs for both citizens and expatriates. The move aligns with the existing Gulf Payment Network (GCC-NET), which already facilitates cash withdrawals and point-of-sale transactions across the region.

According to the announcement, the integration is designed to improve the efficiency and quality of financial services available to residents and visitors. By leveraging shared payment networks, the GCC countries continue to work toward a more unified regional economy, making cross-border transactions more accessible and less reliant on international third-party processing networks.