Qatar Central Bank Announces Acceptance of "Himyan" and "mada" Cards in Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Qatar Central Bank (QCB), in cooperation with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), has announced the start of accepting Qatar’s national payment card Himyan in Saudi Arabia and Saudi Arabia’s national payment network mada cards in Qatar.

The initiative marks a new step in strengthening cooperation and integration between the national payment systems of Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Himyan and mada Cards to Be Accepted

Under the new arrangement, Himyan cardholders will be able to use their cards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while mada cardholders will be able to use their cards in Qatar.

The acceptance will begin gradually following the completion of technical and operational integration and connectivity arrangements between the two payment systems.

Ceremony Held at Money20/20 Middle East 2026

The announcement was made during a ceremony held alongside the Money20/20 Middle East 2026 conference in Riyadh.

The event was attended by Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank, and Ayman bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Sayari, Governor of the Saudi Central Bank.
Technical Integration Completed

QCB said the gradual launch follows the completion of the required technical and operational integration and connectivity arrangements.

Card usage and access to payment services will expand as the approved integration phases are completed, supporting wider interoperability between the two national payment ecosystems.

Supporting Seamless Cross-Border Payments

The initiative is expected to strengthen connectivity between Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s payment ecosystems and contribute to more efficient and seamless cross-border payments.

It will also expand access to national payment solutions, providing users with greater convenience when making payments across the two countries.

Advancing Digital Financial Integration

The cooperation reflects the commitment of Qatar and Saudi Arabia to further develop payment infrastructure and strengthen integration between their national systems.

The initiative also supports the digital transformation of the financial sector, while aiming to improve the efficiency, convenience and accessibility of payment services in both countries.