Dubai, UAE — Syria has processed its first international card payment in more than 15 years, Mastercard and QNB Group said on Thursday, marking a step towards reconnecting the country’s payments system with global networks.
QNB Syria processed the first point-of-sale transaction at an approved local merchant using a Mastercard card issued outside Syria, following the technical reconnection of the country’s payments infrastructure to Mastercard’s global network.
The transaction lays the groundwork for wider acceptance of international payment cards in Syria, potentially giving consumers and businesses greater access to global digital payment services.
The Central Bank of Syria said the transaction was an important step in modernising the country’s payments infrastructure and supporting commerce and longer-term economic development.
“The completion of Syria’s first international card transaction in more than 15 years is an important step in modernizing the country’s payments ecosystem,” Central Bank Governor Mohammed Safwat Raslan said.
QNB Group Chief Business Officer Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama said the transaction would enable merchants to offer customers greater choice while supporting the development of a more modern digital payments system.
Mastercard Division President for West Arabia Adam Jones said the company was working with the central bank and QNB Group to develop a more connected and secure payments environment in Syria.
The company said it would continue working with Syrian authorities, financial institutions and other partners to expand digital payment adoption and international card acceptance.
