Saudi Central Bank rolls out Google Pay on Mada network

By Vriti Gothi

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has launched Google Pay on the Kingdom’s national payment network, Mada, to modernise Saudi Arabia’s digital payments landscape.

The announcement was made at the Money20/20 Middle East conference and exhibition, held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Mulham. The initiative is a central part of SAMA’s broader efforts to strengthen digital payment infrastructure, advance financial inclusion, and accelerate the transition towards a cash-lite society.

Through the integration of Google Pay, customers in the Kingdom can now seamlessly and securely add their Mada cards and digital credit cards to the Google Wallet app. This capability enables faster, safer, and more convenient transactions across a wide range of merchants and digital channels, while aligning with global standards in payment innovation and security.

A spokesperson for SAMA said the initiative reflects the Bank’s commitment to the goals of the Financial Sector Development Program, one of the Vision 2030 realisation programmes. “The launch of Google Pay through the Mada network underscores our ambition to deliver advanced, customer-centric solutions that support innovation, enhance user experiences, and position Saudi Arabia as a regional hub for digital payments and FinTech excellence.”

The move highlights SAMA’s strategic focus on expanding the use of smart devices for financial transactions, creating more accessible and inclusive digital services for individuals and businesses alike. It forms part of a broader suite of initiatives designed to bolster the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s payment ecosystem and provide cutting-edge digital solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the market.

By bringing Google Pay to the Mada network, SAMA is reinforcing the Kingdom’s global standing in financial innovation while delivering tangible benefits to customers and the wider economy.