Alinma Bank Partners with Ant International to Expand Cross-Border QR Payment Acceptance for its Merchants through Alipay+
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – 16 September 2026 – Alinma Bank, in partnership with Ant International’s unified wallet gateway, Alipay+, today announces the launch of cross-border QR payments acceptance at participating merchants [SSA1] across Saudi Arabia. The solution enables Alinma Bank merchants to receive payments from international users of Alipay+ payment partner apps, [SSA2] utilising the National Payment Quick Response (QR) Standard, under the guidance of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
Through this partnership, Alipay+ partner wallet users can make seamless and secure payments at Alinma Bank merchants across the Kingdom by scanning the QR code. The launch of Alipay+ was officiated by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and Ant International at Money20/20 Middle East 2026 [SSA3] in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The integration of Alipay+ supports SAMA’s ongoing efforts to enhance international payment acceptance [SSA4] in Saudi Arabia, in line with Vision 2030.
Danny Chung, General Manager of Alipay+ Growth Center at Ant International, said: "Saudi Arabia is an important destination for global travellers. We are honoured to support Vision 2030 and to build on SAMA's strong digital infrastructure with the launch of Alipay+ in the Kingdom. Alinma Bank’s merchants can now seamlessly connect with participating global digital wallets through Alipay+, [SSA5] enhancing the payment experience for international visitors and contributing to Saudi Arabia's tourism industry."
Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Nasser, Chief Retail Banking Officer, Alinma Bank, said: "We are delighted to give our merchants a simple, Shariah-compliant way to welcome the visitors Saudi Arabia is attracting in record numbers." Saudi Arabia surpassed 100 million domestic and international tourists in 2024, ahead of its Vision 2030 schedule, and targets 150 million visitors annually by 2030[SSA6] . Electronic payments accounted for 85% [SSA7] per cent of retail transactions in 2025, up from 18 per cent in 2016.
Saudi Arabia is now part of a group of over 10 markets where Alipay+ is connected to national payment schemes, including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Cambodia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Globally, Alipay+ connects more than 2 billion user accounts across over 50 digital wallets and banking apps to more than 150 million merchants in over 220 markets.