On September 15, 2025, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) officially launched Google Pay for Android devices in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s expanding digital payments ecosystem. The rollout, announced during the Money20/20 Middle East event, was enabled through the national payment network, Mada.
The service allows users to add and manage their Mada debit cards and digital credit cards like Visa and Mastercard via the Google Wallet app, enabling secure purchases both in stores using Tap to Pay and soon within apps and on the web. A key feature of the service is its robust security, which uses tokenization to replace actual card numbers with virtual tokens, enhancing the safety of every transaction.
The launch of Google Pay is a strategic move that aligns with the nation’s ambitious Vision 2030 and its Financial Sector Development Program. SAMA emphasized that this initiative will expand the use of fintech solutions, facilitate a more user-friendly digital payment experience, and increase financial inclusion across the country.
The move also solidifies Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for fintech innovation. The announcement was accompanied by news of a new agreement with Ant International to enable Alipay+ acceptance by 2026. This, along with other partnerships, aims to diversify payment options and make the Kingdom a seamless destination for digital commerce. SAMA Governor Ayman Al-Sayari noted the explosive growth of the fintech sector, with the number of active companies rising from 82 to 281 since late 2022, underscoring the nation’s capacity for rapid digital transformation.
