E-Commerce Sales via Mada Cards Rise by 57% in Saudi Arabia
E-commerce sales made with Mada cards in Saudi Arabia increased by 57 percent in April 2025, reaching $6.2 billion.
Online transactions through Mada cards in Saudi Arabia surpassed 132 million. Meanwhile, the total value of POS spending in physical stores declined. These figures are based on data published by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). According to the data, online transactions made via Mada cards exceeded 132 million in April 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 40.75 percent.
These figures indicate a significant rise in the number of Saudi consumers shopping through websites and mobile applications. The data includes online purchases made using linked debit cards and digital wallets. However, credit card transactions processed through international networks such as Visa are not included in the statistics.
Mada is known as the “Saudi Payment Network.” As the Kingdom’s national electronic payment system, Mada connects all ATMs and point-of-sale (POS) terminals to a central payment network. The system enables millions of Saudi citizens to make payments directly from their bank accounts when shopping both in physical stores and online. It provides both debit card and prepaid card services.
The Rise of Mada Reflects Growing Trust in E-Commerce
Mada transactions utilize near-field communication (NFC) technology, which enables secure, contactless payments. Consumers can make instant payments simply by tapping their card or smartphone at payment terminals. The Mada system has become a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to transition toward a cashless economy.
The system ensures fast and secure transactions across physical and digital platforms. The rapid adoption of Mada-enabled digital payments reflects increased consumer confidence in online shopping and highlights the success of the country’s efforts to modernize its payments infrastructure.
POS Spending Declines
According to SAMA’s data, the total value of POS transactions at physical retail locations dropped by 1.38 percent year-on-year, reaching SR52.22 billion. Despite this slight decline in sales, the number of POS transactions rose by approximately 11.6 percent during the same period, totaling 891.5 million.
There are now over 2 million POS terminals across the country. This represents a 16.37 percent increase compared to the previous year and aligns with the goal of expanding electronic payment acceptance nationwide.
SAMA data also shows that the food & beverages and dining categories ranked first and second in POS spending for April, each with expenditures of approximately SR7.7 billion. However, the absence of the Ramadan effect in April this year — which fell toward the end of the month last year — may have limited growth in these categories.
Fintech Innovations Supporting Growth
In April, SAMA signed an agreement with Google. According to the agreement, Google Pay will be launched in Saudi Arabia using the Mada payment infrastructure. Expected to go live later in 2025, this integration will allow users to add their Mada-linked debit cards to Google Wallet for both contactless phone payments and online shopping.
These innovations not only enhance user convenience but also contribute to normalizing cashless spending across all age groups, reinforcing the establishment of a digital payment culture.