ع
QNB and Paymera have formed a strategic collaboration to bolster Syria’s digital payment ecosystem through integrated services that facilitate secure transactions for individuals and businesses. The partnership builds on recent regulatory approvals that have allowed the reconnection of Syrian payments to global networks after more than 15 years of isolation. According to a joint statement from the two entities, the initiative will enhance access to modern financial tools in a market transitioning from cash dominance.
Paymera operates as Syria’s national electronic payment system managed by the local company Bimera and was launched in May 2026 with an initial network of 4,200 point-of-sale terminals. Company officials have set a target of expanding to 50,000 terminals by the end of 2026 while incorporating support for Visa and Mastercard transactions. Giath Alawd, assistant general manager for commercial affairs at Paymera, stated in remarks reported by Enab Baladi that the platform provides essential banking connectivity for all licensed banks operating in the country.
QNB Syria secured a Mastercard license in January 2026, enabling it to extend issuing and acquiring activities in the market as the first institution to do so. The bank processed the country’s first international card transaction in over 15 years during August 2026 at a local merchant using an internationally issued Mastercard card. Mohammed Safwat Raslan, governor of the Central Bank of Syria, described the transaction as an important step toward modernising the payments landscape and facilitating commerce.
In September 2026 QNB Syria issued the first locally produced Mastercard card eligible for international use, with the inaugural transaction completed successfully at an overseas point-of-sale terminal. A Mastercard assessment found that these developments expand secure digital capabilities and reconnect Syrian customers to global networks. Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, group chief business officer at QNB Group, said the completion of the first international transaction supports businesses by offering greater choice and advances a more modern digital payments ecosystem.
The Central Bank of Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with Mastercard in late 2025 to underpin infrastructure modernisation, a framework that has guided subsequent collaborations including the QNB-Paymera partnership. A World Bank report outlined a $100 million grant approved to further modernise Syria’s financial sector, aligning with private-sector efforts to increase inclusion. Michel Kattouah, CEO of Paymera, said in a statement that the return of international card acceptance marks a key milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.
QNB Group has positioned the collaboration as part of its broader commitment to digital innovation across its network in high-potential markets. The integration allows QNB Syria customers to utilise Paymera’s infrastructure for both domestic and cross-border payments under regulatory oversight. Officials from the involved institutions have stressed adherence to compliance standards to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
