Fintech News & Trends

Tabby Raises $233 Million, Valuation Rises to $6.5 Billion

Saudi Arabia-based fintech company Tabby has completed a $233 million Series F funding round at a valuation of $6.5 billion. The company, which offers “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) solutions in e-commerce and retail, will use the new capital to expand its operations in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and to develop financial services beyond BNPL.

Blue Pool Capital Led Tabby’s Funding Round

Blue Pool Capital led the new funding round, with HSG, Wellington Management, and Arbor Ventures also participating. According to FinTech Futures, the company’s new $6.5 billion valuation is approximately double the $3.3 billion valuation it reached in its $160 million Series E round in February 2025. Reuters reported that the company had reached a valuation of $4.5 billion in its latest share sale in October 2025.

Reaches 25 Million Users in the E-Commerce Ecosystem

Founded in 2019 by Hosam Arab and Daniil Barkalov, Tabby today serves 25 million registered users and has an annualized transaction volume exceeding $18 billion. Major e-commerce and retail brands such as Amazon and Shein are among the company’s 70,000 partners. FinTech Futures also reports that the platform works with more than 65,000 global and local brands.

Expanding from BNPL into Financing, Cards, and Money Transfers

Having obtained consumer and SME financing licenses in Saudi Arabia, Tabby can provide businesses with working capital in addition to higher-value and longer-term consumer financing. The company also acquired SAMA-licensed digital wallet Tweeq, adding account, card, and money transfer services to its infrastructure. The Stored Value Facilities license obtained in the UAE has also paved the way for Tabby Cash, which has no account or card fees.

CEO Hosam Arab stated that the new capital will primarily be used to support deeper growth in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While the company has been operating profitably since 2023, part of the funding round was allocated to provide liquidity to employees; share sales by current and former employees exceeded $100 million.

Artificial Intelligence Comes to the Fore in E-Commerce and Retail Shopping

Tabby’s 2026 consumer research also points to the role of artificial intelligence in e-commerce and retail shopping. According to the research, consumers prefer AI to assist in areas such as product comparison, search and discovery, and size recommendations based on past purchases, rather than completely taking over purchasing decisions.

Tabby Secures Consumer and SME Finance Licenses in Saudi Arabia, Expanding Beyond BNPL

Shopify Payments Launched in the UAE: Global Payment Options Offered Through a Single Infrastructure

Shopify has launched its own payment infrastructure, Shopify Payments, in the United Arab Emirates under an early access programme. The new system enables eligible e-commerce businesses to manage payment and order processes directly through their store admin panel. While the service is currently available to selected merchants, businesses on the Advanced and Plus plans are among the groups eligible for access.

Shopify Payments Supports Visa, Mastercard and Shop Pay

With the infrastructure launched in the UAE, online stores can accept payments via Visa, Mastercard and Maestro credit or debit cards. Accelerated payment options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Shop Pay are also enabled automatically. The system can only be used for online sales; POS payments at physical retail locations require third-party payment processors and external card terminals. The platform also uses encryption and security methods such as fraud detection and 3D Secure to protect customer data.

A UAE Company and an IBAN Starting with AE Are Required

E-commerce businesses wishing to join the system must have a valid company registration number in the UAE. Supported business types include sole establishments, free zone sole establishments, LLCs and Free Zone LLC structures. The account receiving payments must be held with a UAE-based bank, denominated in AED and enabled for money transfers. The IBAN must begin with “AE.” Depending on the type of company, identity and business verification documents such as a trade licence, memorandum of association, proof of bank account, Emirates ID or passport may also be requested.

Payment Processes Are Managed Through the E-Commerce Panel

Shopify allows merchants to track payment transactions and order management through the same admin panel. In the UAE, the minimum payout settlement period is stated as five business days, while the minimum payout amount is AED 20. Eligible businesses can also benefit from multi-currency payouts in USD under certain conditions. (Shopify Payments)

Artificial Intelligence and Retail Tools Are Also Part of the Ecosystem

The company’s e-commerce infrastructure includes artificial intelligence-powered tools in addition to payment systems. While Shopify Magic uses artificial intelligence in processes such as product descriptions, email content, image generation and store management, Sidekick is offered as a commerce assistant that supports merchants with content creation and operational tasks.

With the new payment infrastructure in the UAE, Shopify has started offering online retail businesses card payments and accelerated payment options within its own e-commerce management system. Shopify Payments is still in the early access stage in the country and remains available only to eligible merchants. (Shopify Payments)

MRM MENAT Partners with Shopify for Middle East E-Commerce

Saudi Arabia’s E-Commerce Market Reaches $10 Billion in July Sales

E-commerce sales carried out via Mada cards in Saudi Arabia increased by 11.8 percent on a monthly basis in July 2026, reaching 37.6 billion Saudi riyals ($10 billion). Sales, which stood at 33.6 billion riyals in June, recorded 26 percent growth compared with the same period last year.

E-Commerce via Mada Grew in Saudi Arabia

The data was included in the monthly statistical bulletin of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). In the second quarter, e-commerce sales made with Mada cards increased by 3.1 percent from 98.3 billion riyals in the first quarter to 101.4 billion riyals. Compared with the volume of 76.6 billion riyals in the second quarter of last year, annual growth stood at 32.3 percent. Saudi Arabia’s official statistics also showed that the e-commerce sales index increased by 9.8 percent year-on-year in the second quarter.

POS Sales in Physical Retail Also Increased

In July, the total value of point-of-sale (POS) transactions in the retail sector increased by 9.4 percent month-on-month, rising from 54.6 billion riyals to 59.7 billion riyals. Of this amount, 34 billion riyals was transacted via mobile phones, while 25.7 billion riyals was carried out through cards. POS sales increased by 6.8 percent year-on-year.

In the second quarter, however, POS sales declined by 4.8 percent compared with the previous quarter, falling to 170.1 billion riyals. According to data from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics, the e-commerce sales index for retail trade increased by 13.4 percent year-on-year during the same period, while the index for wholesale trade rose by 6.5 percent.

Commercial Registrations in the Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Increased by 240 Percent

In parallel with the growth in e-commerce and digital retail, commercial activity in the field of artificial intelligence also expanded. According to first-quarter 2026 data from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce, the number of commercial registrations in the artificial intelligence sector increased by 240 percent over the past five years, exceeding 19,000. During the same period, the total number of active commercial registrations in the country surpassed 1.89 million, while more than 71,000 new commercial registrations were created in the first quarter.

SAMA’s data also shows an increase in the use of electronic payment channels. In the first quarter of 2026, the value of e-commerce transactions carried out with Mada cards in Saudi Arabia increased by 41.9 percent year-on-year, while growth in POS transactions was recorded at 4.4 percent.

Saudi Mada E-Commerce Grows 72%

Saudi Arabia-Based E-Commerce Platform Salla Acquires Paylink

Saudi Arabia-based e-commerce platform Salla has acquired Paylink, a fintech company that develops electronic payment solutions. The financial value of the deal was not disclosed. The acquisition was carried out as part of the company’s strategy to more comprehensively integrate its e-commerce infrastructure with payment and financial services. With the acquisition, the aim is to enable retail businesses to accept local and international payments across both digital and physical sales channels.

Salla Expands Its Payment Infrastructure with Paylink

Founded in 2017 by Ammar AlTwaijri and Abdulelah Alsayegh, Paylink is licensed by the Saudi Central Bank to provide e-commerce payment services and carries the “Saudi Tech” label. The company provides electronic payment solutions to entrepreneurs, SMEs, companies, and public institutions.

As part of the acquisition, Paylink’s payment infrastructure is planned to be integrated with Salla’s e-commerce ecosystem. This structure will cover payment acceptance and management across online and physical channels, as well as SoftPOS technologies, various payment methods, multi-currency support, and international collection options.

Serves More Than 65,000 Active Stores

Salla states that it serves more than 65,000 active subscription-based stores and that the sales volume generated through the platform has exceeded 45 billion Saudi riyals. In addition to online store setup, the platform offers payment, shipping, inventory management, and marketing tools within a single e-commerce ecosystem.

Salla Founder and CEO Nawaf Hariri stated that they view financial services as a natural extension of the company’s existing vision. Hariri said that with the capabilities provided by Paylink, they aim to develop smarter and more integrated payment solutions and enable merchants to receive payments from their customers at online or physical points of sale, both domestically and internationally.

E-Commerce Platform’s Acquisition Strategy Continues

The Paylink transaction represents a continuation of Salla’s strategy of bringing complementary technology companies into its organization. In 2025, the company acquired the digital advertising platform Sweply and integrated the service into its ecosystem under the name Salla Ads. This enabled merchants to manage and optimize their advertising campaigns directly through the platform.

Artificial Intelligence, Retail, and Financial Technologies in the Same Ecosystem

Within a structure where e-commerce platforms bring together retail operations such as payments, advertising, inventory, and marketing in one place, artificial intelligence-powered technologies are also among the technological components of the digital commerce ecosystem. With the Paylink acquisition, Salla’s stated focus is on expanding payment acceptance, financial services, physical points of sale, and cross-border collection capabilities.

UAE Russia Trade Agreement Takes Effect, Boosting Services and Investment

The UAE Russia trade agreement, the new framework lowers market-entry barriers and strengthens investment protections across fintech, healthcare, logistics and professional services.

The UAE Russia trade agreement on services and investment has officially entered into force, creating a new framework designed to make cross-border business easier between the two countries.

The Trade in Services and Investment Agreement, known as TISIA, introduces clearer rules for market access, investment protection and professional services while targeting sectors with strong growth potential.

The agreement is expected to support companies operating across areas including fintech, healthcare, transport, logistics and corporate services.

It also strengthens the UAE’s broader strategy of expanding trade relationships beyond goods and positioning the country as a global hub for services, investment and international business.

Lower Barriers for Cross-Border Services

One of the central objectives of the UAE Russia trade agreement is to reduce regulatory barriers for companies entering each other’s markets.

The framework provides greater legal clarity for service providers and investors while simplifying some professional licensing requirements.

For companies operating internationally, these changes can reduce uncertainty and lower the administrative burden associated with market entry.

The agreement is particularly relevant for sectors where regulatory approvals and professional recognition can significantly affect expansion.

By creating a more predictable legal environment, the two countries aim to encourage greater participation from private-sector companies and investors.

Fintech and Digital Services Among Priority Sectors

Digital finance is among the sectors expected to benefit from the new framework.

The UAE has developed into one of the Middle East’s most active fintech and digital services markets, supported by financial centres, free zones and an increasingly sophisticated regulatory environment.

Closer services cooperation with Russia could create additional opportunities for payment companies, financial technology providers and business-to-business digital platforms.

For E-commerce companies, improvements in financial services, payments and professional support can also strengthen the wider infrastructure required for international expansion.

The agreement therefore has implications beyond traditional services trade.

It could also contribute to the development of stronger digital commercial links between the UAE, Russia and the wider Eurasian market.

Logistics and Transport Could Gain From Agreement

Transport and freight logistics are another major focus.

The UAE has positioned itself as an international logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Lower regulatory friction in services trade could support increased use of UAE ports, airports, free zones and logistics infrastructure by companies trading with Russia and Eurasia.

This could be particularly relevant for businesses using the UAE as a regional distribution or re-export hub.

Improved commercial links between service providers may also create opportunities in freight forwarding, warehousing, supply-chain management and transport technology.

For E-commerce operators, logistics efficiency remains one of the most important factors determining the viability of cross-border sales.

UAE-Russia Non-Oil Trade Reaches $20.4 Billion

The agreement comes against the backdrop of significant growth in economic ties between the UAE and Russia.

Non-oil bilateral trade reached $20.4 billion last year, highlighting the scale of commercial activity between the two markets.

The UAE has increasingly sought to diversify its international trade relationships through bilateral and regional agreements covering goods, services and investment.

The TISIA framework adds another layer to that strategy by focusing specifically on sectors where market access often depends on regulatory cooperation rather than tariffs alone.

Investment Protections Aim to Increase Business Confidence

The agreement also includes provisions designed to protect cross-border investments.

Clearer investment rules can provide businesses with greater confidence when entering new markets, particularly when establishing long-term operations, partnerships or joint ventures.

For both Emirati and Russian companies, greater predictability could encourage new investment in areas such as financial services, healthcare, logistics and professional consulting.

It could also facilitate partnerships between companies seeking to combine regional expertise, capital and international market access.

UAE Strengthens Eurasian Trade Links

The bilateral agreement also complements the UAE’s broader trade relationship with the Eurasian Economic Union.

The five-member bloc includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Stronger commercial links with Russia can therefore support the UAE’s wider ambition to deepen trade and investment ties across Eurasia.

For international businesses, the UAE increasingly serves as a gateway connecting Gulf markets to Central Asia, Europe, and emerging Eurasian economies.

The country’s logistics infrastructure, financial centres and free-zone ecosystem make it particularly attractive for companies seeking a regional base for international operations.

Services Trade Becomes More Important

Global trade agreements have traditionally focused heavily on physical goods and tariffs.

However, services are becoming an increasingly important component of international commerce.

Digital platforms, financial services, consulting, logistics, healthcare and technology are all playing larger roles in cross-border economic activity.

As economies become more digital, regulatory compatibility can become as important as tariff reductions.

Agreements covering services, professional recognition and investment therefore have growing strategic importance.

The UAE Russia trade agreement reflects this shift by focusing on the regulatory environment businesses need to operate across borders.

The UAE Russia Trade Agreement Supports UAE Trade Ambitions

The UAE has set ambitious targets for expanding its non-oil foreign trade over the coming years.

The country aims to increase total non-oil foreign trade to $1.1 trillion by 2031.

Expanding international trade agreements is a major part of that strategy.

In addition to reducing barriers for goods, the UAE is increasingly developing frameworks that support investment, services and digital commerce.

These agreements can help UAE-based companies expand internationally while also encouraging foreign businesses to use the country as a base for regional operations.

Business Forums Expected to Follow

The implementation phase is expected to include greater engagement between the private sectors of both countries.

Government trade authorities are expected to support business forums and commercial meetings connecting Emirati and Russian companies.

These initiatives could help businesses identify partnership opportunities and better understand the new regulatory framework.

Companies operating across the two markets are also expected to review their compliance, investment and licensing structures to take advantage of the agreement.

UAE Expands Role as Global Trade Gateway

The activation of the UAE Russia trade agreement strengthens the UAE’s position as a commercial bridge between the Gulf, Russia and the wider Eurasian region.

By reducing regulatory barriers and improving investment protections, the framework could make it easier for companies to expand services and establish cross-border partnerships.

The UAE Russia trade agreement will ultimately depend on how quickly businesses make use of the new opportunities.

However, the agreement reflects a broader change in global trade strategy: growth is increasingly being driven not only by goods, but also by services, digital platforms, investment and professional expertise.

For the UAE, expanding these connections is becoming a central part of its ambition to remain one of the world’s leading international trade and business hubs.

Vietnam Unveils Digital Economy Strategy While Tightening Cryptocurrency Rules

Government sets ambitious digital transformation roadmap through 2045

Vietnam has approved a sweeping national strategy to accelerate its digital transformation while simultaneously introducing stricter regulations for cryptocurrency trading, underscoring the country’s push to build a secure, data-driven digital economy.

The National Digital Transformation Strategy for 2026–2030, with a vision extending to 2045, aims to modernise Vietnam’s digital infrastructure, strengthen data governance, and position the country as a leading regional digital hub. At the same time, authorities have announced tougher enforcement measures for cryptocurrency activities, including substantial fines for unlicensed trading and stricter compliance requirements for digital asset service providers.

Data governance becomes a national priority

Under the new strategy, Vietnam plans to develop integrated national databases, sector-specific digital networks, shared data platforms and centralised data warehouses built on common technical standards. The government also intends to improve cybersecurity through enhanced data protection systems and incident warning mechanisms.

Officials will implement lifecycle management for critical national databases to improve data quality while reducing long-term maintenance costs. Citizens are also expected to gain greater transparency through digital tools that allow them to monitor how their personal information is collected and used.

The government will invest heavily in digital talent development, with plans to train at least 50,000 public sector employees in data governance, analytics and artificial intelligence. Another 300,000 private-sector workers are expected to receive training in data-related skills and AI applications.

Higher education institutions will also play a key role, with more than 50 universities expected to introduce degree programmes focused on data science, AI, cybersecurity, high-performance computing and data governance. Vietnam also aims to develop a specialised workforce of at least 5,000 data experts by 2030.

Stricter oversight for cryptocurrency markets

Alongside its digital economy plans, Vietnam is significantly tightening oversight of cryptocurrency trading. Beginning September 1, authorities will enforce Decree 284/2026, which introduces financial penalties for individuals using unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges.

Investors trading through platforms not authorised by the Ministry of Finance could face fines ranging from VND30 million to VND50 million. Higher penalties of up to VND100 million may apply to individuals participating in crypto offerings restricted to foreign investors.

Crypto service providers will also face tougher compliance obligations. Companies that fail to provide accurate disclosures, violate licensing rules, or offer unauthorised digital assets could receive fines of up to VND200 million.

In addition, exchanges will be required to conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for all users. Businesses that improperly collect, store or share customer account information will also face significant penalties as regulators strengthen safeguards against money laundering, fraud and data misuse.

Balancing innovation with regulation

Vietnam’s latest initiatives reflect a dual strategy of accelerating digital innovation while strengthening regulatory oversight. The country aims to become one of the world’s leading digital economies by 2045, with ambitions to rank among the top performers in international digital government assessments and establish itself as a regional centre for cross-border data storage, processing and exchange.

By pairing large-scale investments in digital infrastructure and workforce development with tighter cryptocurrency regulation, Vietnam is seeking to create a more secure and trusted environment for digital economic growth while improving investor protection.

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NjiaPay Unveils One-Click Payments to Speed Up South Africa’s E-commerce Checkout

New solution aims to reduce cart abandonment and improve payment success for online merchants

South African fintech NjiaPay has introduced a new one-click payment solution designed to streamline e-commerce checkout experiences by enabling returning customers to complete purchases without repeatedly entering their card details or undergoing additional authentication steps.

The launch addresses one of the biggest challenges facing online retailers in South Africa – checkout friction – which continues to contribute to high cart abandonment rates. According to the company, its payment-provider-agnostic technology allows merchants to offer a seamless repeat-purchase experience regardless of which payment service provider (PSP) they use, eliminating the limitations of traditional one-click payment systems tied to a single provider.

Tokenisation replaces stored card data

The company, which is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant, said the approach enhances security because the stored token cannot be used outside the merchant’s own platform, even in the event of a security breach.

Rather than storing customers’ payment card information, NjiaPay uses secure tokenisation after a shopper completes their first authenticated transaction and consents to saving their payment details. The generated token is unique to each merchant, allowing future purchases to be completed with a single click while reducing the risk of exposing sensitive financial information.

Helping merchants recover lost sales

NjiaPay believes the solution can significantly improve conversion rates by removing unnecessary checkout steps that often discourage customers from completing purchases.

The company estimates merchants could see a 5% to 10% increase in successful card-on-file transactions through the simplified checkout process. The solution is particularly aimed at e-commerce businesses, subscription services and retailers with high volumes of repeat customers.

According to NjiaPay, South African ecommerce businesses experience cart abandonment rates of up to 83%, with payment failures, repeated form filling, redirects and authentication requirements among the leading causes. The company also noted that 3-D Secure authentication succeeds only around 80% of the time, creating additional friction during checkout.

Payment orchestration beyond a single provider

Unlike conventional checkout solutions, NjiaPay operates as a neutral payment orchestration layer that sits above merchants’ existing PSP infrastructure. Its API enables businesses to connect multiple payment providers through a single integration while intelligently routing transactions to improve payment performance.

The platform currently supports card payments, digital wallets and supported variable recurring payment methods, including Capitec Pay VRP. By giving merchants greater flexibility and reducing dependence on a single payment provider, the company aims to improve reliability while maintaining a fast and consistent checkout experience.

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Yalla Secures UAE Central Bank Approval to Expand Digital Payments

Yalla Financial Solutions has received in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) for a Retail Payment Services (RPS) Category II licence, marking a significant milestone in its regional expansion and positioning the company to broaden its digital payments offering in one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing fintech markets.

The approval, granted under the CBUAE’s Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes Regulation, allows Yalla to move closer to launching regulated payment services in the UAE once it fulfils the remaining regulatory requirements and secures its final licence.

Strengthening payment infrastructure

Following final regulatory approval, Yalla plans to expand its payment capabilities for consumers, merchants and enterprises across the UAE. The company aims to provide faster, more secure and locally compliant payment services while supporting the country’s ambitions to become a global hub for digital finance.

According to the company, the future portfolio will include:

Payment gateway services
Payment aggregation
Online and in-store merchant payment acceptance
QR code payments
SoftPOS solutions
Payment orchestration
Tokenisation services
Recurring payment capabilities
Value-added payment services

CEO highlights UAE fintech ambitions

Waleed Sadek, CEO and Founder of Yalla Financial Solutions, described the approval as an important milestone for the company.

He said the decision reflects Yalla’s commitment to building secure, innovative and compliant payment infrastructure while supporting the UAE’s vision of becoming one of the world’s leading digital economies. Sadek added that the company will continue working closely with the central bank to complete the remaining licensing requirements before launching its expanded services.

Supporting digital commerce

Yalla currently operates across Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, offering digital payment solutions for consumers, merchants and financial institutions. The company said the UAE approval aligns with its broader strategy of investing in next-generation payment infrastructure, accelerating digital commerce and improving financial inclusion across the region.

The move comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its regulatory framework for digital payments, encouraging innovation while ensuring payment providers meet strict compliance and security standards. The country’s central bank has recently approved several fintech initiatives aimed at expanding the local digital payments ecosystem.

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UAE and Canada Conclude CEPA Negotiations

The United Arab Emirates and Canada have announced the successful conclusion of negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA. Once the agreement enters into force, it is expected to reduce customs tariffs, remove bureaucratic barriers, and expand market access for businesses in both countries.

The conclusion of the negotiations was announced during UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi’s visit to Canada. Al Zeyoudi was accompanied by a delegation of Emirati officials and business leaders. The announcement was made jointly with Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu.

Fastest Negotiation in the CEPA Programme

The UAE-Canada CEPA negotiations became the fastest agreement completed by the UAE since the programme was launched in September 2021. Canada also stated that the talks, which began last month, were the fastest trade agreement negotiations ever completed by the country.

Bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately US$4.2 billion in 2025, representing a 21 percent increase compared with the previous year. Following ratification and entry into force, the agreement is expected to increase this volume and accelerate private-sector cooperation.

New Market Access for E-Commerce and Technology Companies

The CEPA is expected to create new trade and investment opportunities in areas including clean energy, advanced technology, data centres, aviation, agri-food, seafood, and critical minerals. The agreement is also projected to facilitate billions of dollars in trade flows into projects involving ports, mines, LNG facilities, and data centres.

Lower tariffs and simplified administrative procedures are also expected to support the cross-border operations of e-commerce and retail companies. For technology businesses, data centres, digital infrastructure, and advanced technology investments stand out as key areas under the agreement.

“We Are Opening New Horizons for the Business Community”

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi said the agreement reflects the depth of the strategic relationship between the two countries and their shared determination to build a stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable economic partnership. He added that the CEPA would open new opportunities for business communities in both countries and expand investment and cooperation across priority sectors.

Maninder Sidhu said the agreement would allow Canadian companies to use the UAE as a regional commercial hub to grow their exports. He also stated that the CEPA would encourage investment from the UAE in projects supporting Canada’s long-term economic goals.

The new agreement will complement the existing Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between the two countries. Since the launch of its CEPA programme in September 2021, the UAE has secured agreements with 38 countries.

What have the past two years of UAE-Turkiye CEPA trade taught us?

Qatar’s Digital Payments and E-Commerce Continue Strong Growth in 2026

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar’s digital economy continues to gain momentum as new data from the Qatar Central Bank (QCB) reveals significant growth in e-commerce, point-of-sale (POS), and instant payment transactions during May 2026.

The latest figures highlight consumers’ increasing preference for digital payment methods and online shopping, reinforcing Qatar’s broader strategy to accelerate financial technology adoption and reduce reliance on cash.

Card Payments and E-Commerce Continue to Expand

Card transaction volumes climbed 24% year-over-year, reaching 72.34 million transactions in May 2026. POS payments remained the dominant channel, growing from 42.74 million to 53.82 million transactions compared with the same month last year.

Online e-commerce transactions also recorded robust growth, increasing from 9.45 million to 12.62 million, reflecting the continued expansion of digital retail and growing consumer confidence in online shopping.

In terms of value, total card transactions reached QR24.41 billion, while POS transaction value rose to QR9.82 billion, up from QR8.55 billion a year earlier. Online e-commerce transaction value remained stable at approximately QR3.91 billion, demonstrating resilient consumer spending through digital channels.

Digital Banking Transactions Accelerate

Beyond retail payments, Qatar’s digital banking infrastructure also recorded remarkable growth.

Transactions processed through the Tahweel interbank transfer system surged 58% in value to QR64.24 billion, while transaction volumes jumped 160% year-over-year, reflecting increasing reliance on electronic fund transfers across the country.

Fawran Sees Record Adoption

Qatar’s instant payment platform, Fawran, continued its rapid expansion throughout 2026.

Transaction value increased 159% to QR6.71 billion, while transaction volume climbed 149% to 4.1 million. Meanwhile, registered Fawran accounts reached 3.86 million, highlighting the platform’s growing popularity among consumers and businesses alike.

Qatar Strengthens Its Digital Economy

The latest figures demonstrate Qatar’s accelerating transition toward a digitally driven financial ecosystem, supported by expanding payment infrastructure, growing consumer confidence in electronic payments, and continued investment in financial technology.

As digital commerce, instant payments, and fintech innovation continue to advance, Qatar is reinforcing its position as one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing digital payment and e-commerce markets.

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