QCB’s Himyan Card Now accepted in Kuwait

By Vriti Gothi

Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has accepted its national payment card, Himyan, in the State of Kuwait, a further step in cross-border payments integration within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The move allows Himyan cardholders to conduct purchase transactions and cash withdrawals at points of sale and automated teller machines across Kuwait, expanding the card’s usability beyond Qatar’s domestic market.

The development forms part of Qatar’s Third Financial Sector Strategy and reflects QCB’s broader objective of strengthening digital payment systems while deepening cooperation among GCC central banks. By enabling Himyan’s acceptance in another GCC market, QCB is positioning its national card scheme within a growing regional payments ecosystem that prioritises interoperability, security, and local control over critical financial infrastructure.

According to QCB, transactions conducted using the Himyan card in Kuwait will comply with the highest standards of security and customer protection. The card operates within a national payment ecosystem that is fully managed and operated by the central bank, a structure designed to reduce reliance on international card networks and enhance resilience within the domestic and regional financial system.

Himyan is the first national payment card issued under a Qatari commercial brand and is owned by Qatar Central Bank. Since its launch, the card has been a central component of QCB’s efforts to modernise the country’s payments landscape, support digital transformation across the financial sector, and provide secure and efficient local payment options for consumers and merchants. Its expansion into Kuwait represents a strategic extension of these objectives beyond national borders.

A Qatar Central Bank statement noted that the initiative “reaffirms our commitment to strengthening regional integration in the field of payment systems,” underscoring the role of national payment schemes in advancing shared GCC financial infrastructure goals. Regional interoperability has become an increasingly important focus for Gulf regulators, particularly as governments seek to support cashless transactions, improve payment efficiency, and enhance financial inclusion.