On September 15, 2025, during the Money20/20 Middle East conference in Riyadh, the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) made a landmark announcement: Google Pay is now live across Saudi Arabia, integrated through the Kingdom’s national payments system, mada. Alongside, SAMA revealed that Alipay+ will be accepted in the country starting 2026.

This move marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy — pushing forward digital transformation, increasing financial inclusion, and reducing reliance on cash. This blog post unpacks what is being launched, how it works, what the implications are, and what to watch next.

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What Was Announced

Here are the key points from official statements and reports:

1. Google Pay Launch
   • Google Pay, along with Google Wallet, will allow users in Saudi Arabia to make secure, contactless “Tap to Pay” transactions in stores. Soon these services will expand to include apps and online/web payments.
   • Users can also add and manage their mada debit cards and compatible credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) via Google Wallet.
2. Role of Mada (Saudi Payments Network)
   • The integration is done through mada, the national payment system overseen by SAMA. All Google Pay transactions will be processed via mada, making it part of the country’s existing payment infrastructure.
   • Mada connects point-of-sale terminals, ATMs, and banks across Saudi Arabia; it is well-established and expanding, including support for contactless payments.
3. Alipay+ Agreement
   • Alongside Google Pay, SAMA has signed an agreement with Ant International to enable Alipay+ acceptance from 2026, also via the Mada network.
   • This helps accommodate international visitors and digital wallet users tied to Alipay+ payment systems.
4. Vision 2030 & Policy Context
   • The drive aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly its goals for boosting the digital economy, increasing financial inclusion, and achieving a high rate of cashless/electronic payments.
   • One target cited was to reach a 70% share of cashless transactions in retail payments by 2025.
5. Fintech Growth in Saudi Arabia
   • According to data shared by SAMA, the fintech sector has grown substantially. From having 82 fintech firms at end of 2022 to about 281 by August 2025. Arab News
   • Electronic payments have likewise increased: in 2024, 79% of retail payments were electronic; total number of electronic payment transactions also rose significantly.

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How It Works: Features & User Experience

For users, here’s what to expect:

• Secure Payments via Android Devices
  Google Pay uses standard security features such as tokenization: instead of transmitting the actual card number, a virtual token is used, and each transaction uses a dynamic security code. blog.google+1
• Card Management via Google Wallet
  Users will be able to add their mada debit cards and compatible credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) into Google Wallet, and manage them (view balances, transactions etc.).
• Merchant Acceptance
  Any merchant with mada-enabled POS (Point-of-Sale) infrastructure is expected to accept Google Pay. Over time, more merchants will enable these contactless POS options.

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Implications & Significance

This development has several broader implications:

1. Acceleration of Cashless Economy
   Saudi Arabia has been pushing to reduce cash dependency. Google Pay’s launch accelerates this by offering more convenient digital payment options for consumers. Zawya
2. Boost for Financial Inclusion
   A secure, widely usable digital payments network helps people who may not always use credit cards or bank branches. More people can participate in the digital economy.
3. Enhanced User Convenience & International Connectivity
   International visitors using Google Pay (or Alipay+ next year) will find it easier to pay in Saudi Arabia without needing large amounts of local cash. For locals, the convenience of carrying less physical cards/paper is significant.
4. Strengthening Fintech Ecosystem
   This also signals Saudi Arabia’s growing maturity as a fintech hub. With hundreds of fintech companies, large investments (billions of SAR), and a strategy that includes not just payments but related infrastructure (e-wallets, regulatory frameworks), the sector is positioned for further growth. Arab News
5. Competition & Innovation
   With global players fully deployed (Google) plus international wallets like Alipay+, competition will push local financial institutions and merchant services to upgrade their offerings: better digital wallet features, enhanced security, more seamless user experience. That could lead to innovations in loyalty, connected services, etc.

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What This Means for Other Markets (including Africa)

Though this is a Saudi-specific development, there are lessons and potential ripple effects for Africa, especially for countries trying to move toward similar digital finance transformations:

• The importance of strong national payment systems (like mada) as the foundation for integrating new digital wallet services.
• The role of regulatory institutions (like SAMA) in setting standards, enabling infrastructure, authorizing services, and aligning with broader economic visions (e.g., Vision 2030).
• The benefit of partnerships between tech giants (Google, Ant) and local authorities or payment networks.
• The need to ensure financial inclusion by making solutions affordable, accessible via many banks, and usable even for non-banked or underbanked populations.
• Also, the value of real-world merchant networks being upgraded (POS terminals, contactless tech) to support digital payments widely.

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Conclusion

The launch of Google Pay via the mada network in Saudi Arabia is more than just a new app or payment method — it represents a strategic leap in the Kingdom’s journey toward a digital, cashless future. It embodies policy, infrastructure, fintech maturation, and global connectivity all in one move. With Alipay+ coming next year, it further opens up Saudi Arabia’s payment ecosystem to global wallets and international users.

For TechAfrica News readers, this is a reminder of what is possible with clear policy direction, investment in fintech infrastructure, and collaborations between governments and tech firms. As more countries look to follow similar paths, Saudi Arabia’s example will be one to study closely.

If you like, I can pull together data mapping similar digital payment launches in Nigeria, or forecast what this might mean for fintech investment in the MENA region.