Saudi Payments Network

Saudi Payments Network (mada)

Native name

| الشبكة السعودية للمدفوعات (مدى)
Formerly| SPAN
Type| Government
Industry| Finance
Founded| 1990; 36 years ago (1990)
Founder| Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
Headquarters| Riyadh Province,

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

Products| Financial services
Owner| Saudi Central Bank
Website| mada.com.sa

The Saudi Payments Network (Arabic: الشبكة السعودية للمدفوعات), commonly known as Mada (Arabic: مدى, literally "range" or "extent" ; formerly SPAN), is the primary payment system in Saudi Arabia. Established by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the network connects all automated teller machines (ATMs) and point-of-sale (POS) terminals across the Kingdom to a central payment switch that routes transactions to the appropriate card issuer.[1]

## Contents

* 1 Overview
* 2 Network Statistics
* 3 Services and Features
* 4 Partnerships and Acceptance
* 5 Member banks and E-wallets in the MADA network
* 6 History
* 7 Images and Logo
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## Overview

All banks operating in Saudi Arabia are mandated by SAMA to issue ATM cards that are fully compatible with the network. Customers benefit from free service regardless of the ATM used, its operator, or the card issuer. Mada operates through a vast infrastructure comprising more than 17,000 ATMs and over 225,000 POS terminals within the country. In partnership with global payment systems such as Visa, MasterCard, and Maestro, the network also enables access to millions of ATMs and POS terminals worldwide.

Mada was originally launched as SPAN and later upgraded to SPAN2. This newer version complies with EMV standards and incorporates a higher-capacity infrastructure that reduces transaction processing times—particularly at POS terminals—thereby addressing limitations of the first-generation system.

## Network Statistics

As of the latest available data, Mada has achieved significant milestones:[1]

* 1.7 million POS devices in operation across Saudi Arabia.
* 8.9 billion transactions processed through the network.
* 613.9 billion SAR in transaction value.
* 8.6 billion NFC transactions, demonstrating a strong shift towards contactless payments.
* 575.6 billion SAR in NFC transaction value.
* 47.7 million Mada cards issued to customer

## Services and Features

Mada supports electronic payments through multiple channels:

* Point-of-Sale (POS) Terminals: Facilitates face-to-face transactions.
* Soft POS: Allows payment acceptance via mobile devices.
* Automated Teller Machines (ATMs): Enables cash withdrawals and other banking functions.
* E-commerce Platforms: Supports online transactions.

The Mada network exclusively issues only debit and prepaid cards, which are always co-branded [Mandatory] with GCC NET and either Visa or MasterCard to ensure international acceptance.[2]

Mada offers two primary payment services:

* Atheer: An NFC (near-field communication) payment service that enables contactless transactions using Mada cards.
* Naqd: A service that permits cardholders to withdraw cash directly from merchants, eliminating the need to visit an ATM or bank branch.

Additionally, Mada has introduced an NFC mobile payment application—Mada Pay—available only on Android devices. This application supports the addition of Mada, MasterCard, and Visa cards issued by banks or digital wallets in Saudi Arabia.[3]

## Partnerships and Acceptance

Mada has established partnerships with a range of global payment networks to facilitate its use on POS devices, ATMs, and online gateways. The following networks are accepted, subject to merchant discretion (with mandatory acceptance of Mada network):

* VISA: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs, and online.
* VISA Electron: Primarily available on ATMs.
* VISA Plus: Primarily available on ATMs.
* MasterCard: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs, and online.
* Maestro: Primarily available on ATMs.
* Cirrus: Primarily available on ATMs.
* GCC Net: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs through MADA
* Discover: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs, and online.
* Diners Club: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs, and online.
* American Express: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs, and online.
* UnionPay: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs, and online.
* JCB: Accepted on POS terminals, ATMs, and online.
* Alipay+: Officially Coming in 2026
* Samsung Pay: Accepted on POS terminals and online.
* Apple Pay: Accepted on POS terminals and online.
* Google Pay: Accepted on POS terminals and online.

All these payment networks are approved by SAMA and integrated through Mada; however, acceptance by individual merchants may vary.

## Member banks and E-wallets in the MADA network

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Local Banks in Saudi Arabia [All Local Banks Issue Mada Cards and Support Mada Pay ]  No. | Bank Name (English) | Bank Name (Arabic)

|
|

1 | Alinma Bank | الإنماء
2 | Al-Rajhi Bank | مصرف الراجحي
3 | Arab National Bank (ANB) | البنك العربي الوطني
4 | Bank AlBilad | بنك البلاد
5 | Aljazira bank (ajb) | بنك الجزيرة
6 | Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) | البنك السعودي الفرنسي
7 | Meem, Gulf International Bank | بنك الخليج الدولي , ميم
8 | Riyad Bank | بنك الرياض
9 | Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB) | البنك الأول (ساب)
10 | Saudi National Bank (SNB) | البنك الأهلي
11 | The Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) | البنك السعودي للاستثمار
Local Digital Banks in Saudi [All Digital Banks Issue Mada Cards and Support Mada Pay]  No. | Bank Name  | Bank names in Arabic

|
|

1 | D360 Bank | دي 360 بنك
2 | STC Bank Previously STC Pay  | بنك إس تي سي
3 | Vision Bank | فيزيون بنك
Digital Banking Experience by Local Banks [Licensed as Local Bank by SAMA] (These are just Different Experience or Apps for the same bank and follow same rules as local banks) A.K.A Neo Banking  No.  | Experience/App Name  | In Arabic

|
|

1  | NEO By SNB Bank  | نيو من البنك الأهلي السعودي
2  | Bouki By Riyad Bank  | بُوكي من بنك الرياض
3  | Iz By Alinma Bank  | عِز من مصرف الإنماء
Digital E-Wallets [Electronic Money Institution (EMI)]  No. | E-Wallet Name  | Issues Mada Cards  | Mada Pay Support

|
|
|

1 | Urpay By Rajhi Bank  |  |
2 | Barq |  |
3 | Alinma Pay By Alinma Bank  |  |
4 | Tiqmo | Template:Soon |
5 | Mobily Pay |  |
6 | Tweeq [Suspended As of December 2025]  |  |
7 | Enjaz By Bank Al Bilad  |  |
8 | Hala [For Business Only]  |  |
9 | Sifi [For Business Only]  | Template:Soon |
10 | DarbPay [For Business Only]  |  |
11 | Loop (Pilot Phase)  |  |
Foreign Licensed Banks in Saudi Arabia that provide Mada Cards and Support Mada Pay  No. | Country | Bank  | Bank Logos

|
|
|

1 |  United Arab Emirates | Emirates NBD KSA  | 118x118px
2 |  United Arab Emirates | First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)  | 74x74px

## History

* In 1952, the Saudi Central Bank was established.[4]
* In 1990, Saudi Payment Network (SPAN) services for ATMs were launched, along with Visa and Mastercard acceptance.
* In 1993, Point of Sale (POS) service was introduced.[4]
* In 1994, SPAN transactions were accepted in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through the Gulf payments network. GCC payments network was also accepted in Saudi Arabia, and AMEX Cards were now accepted.[4]
* In 2008, international security standards were implemented for all bankcards issued in Saudi Arabia. The international system for smart payment card standards was also implemented.[4]
* In 2012, compliance with the international payment card security standard (PCI) was achieved.[4]
* In 2015, the new identity of the Saudi Payment Network, Mada, was launched.[4]
* In 2016, Union Pay Cards were accepted.[4]
* In 2017, two new payment services, Mada Atheer and Mada Naqd, were launched.[4]
* In 2018, Mada e-Commerce service and Apple Pay were introduced. Mada Pay was launched.[4]
* In 2020, JCB Cards were accepted (Limited Support)[4]
* In 2021, the Soft Point of Sale (Soft POS) system was introduced. New features for Mada e-Commerce, including Preauthorization and Card on File, were developed.[4]
* In 2022, Discover Diner Club transactions were accepted in Saudi Arabia.[4]
* In 2023, Mada Transit was launched.[4]
* In 2024, Samsung Pay was introduced and accepted.[5]
* In 2025, JCB Cards were integrated with the MADA system and widely accepted [6]
* In 2025, Google Pay was introduced and accepted [7]
* In 2025, SAMA Announced that Alipay+ will be accepted by 2026 Through MADA [8]

## Images and Logo

One of the earliest SPAN ATM cards in Saudi Arabia, issued by the Kingdom’s first bank SPAN logo MADA and Multiple networks supported by an ATM ALL NETWORKS WHICH ARE APPROVED BY SAMA SUPPORTED | HORIZONTAL, WHITE BACKGROUND MADA ONLY ACCEPTED | HORIZONTAL, WHITE BACKGROUND MADA and Multiple networks supported by a merchant | HORIZONTAL, WHITE BACKGROUND MADA and Multiple networks supported by a merchant | HORIZONTAL, BLACK BACKGROUND MADA and Multiple networks supported by a merchant | VERTICAL , WHITE BACKGROUND MADA and Multiple networks supported by a merchant | VERTICAL , BLACK BACKGROUNDT1, HALA , MADA POS | Only mada network supported through wallets or direct mada atheer PAX A920 , GEIDEA, MADA POS | Multiple Networks Supported  Newland SP880, MADA POS Multiple Networks Supported  Ingenico | Move/2500 , MADA POS Multiple Networks Supported

## See also

* Smart card
* Visa Inc.
* American Express
* MasterCard

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "MADA Official Website". https://www.mada.com.sa/.
2. ↑ "MADA CARDS". https://www.mada.com.sa/en/cardholders/mada-card.
3. ↑ "MADA PAY". https://www.mada.com.sa/en/services/mada-pay.
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 "Mada History". https://www.mada.com.sa/en/about-mada/mada-onset.
5. ↑ "To Enhance Payments Ecosystem, SAMA Announces the Launch of "Samsung Pay" Service in Saudi Arabia". https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/News/Pages/news-1060.aspx.
6. ↑ "To Enhance Digital Payments: SAMA Enables JCB Cards Acceptance in the Kingdom". https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/News/Pages/news-1074.aspx.
7. ↑ "SAMA Announces the Launch of Google Pay Service in Saudi Arabia". 2025-09-15. https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/News/Pages/news-1100.aspx.
8. ↑ "SAMA and Ant International Sign Agreement to Enable Acceptance of Alipay+ Payments in Saudi Arabia by 2026". 2025-09-15. https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/News/Pages/news-1101.aspx.

## External links

* MADA home page

* v
* t
* e

Interbank networks by region

Worldwide|

* Cirrus
* Plus

Africa|

* 123
* Multicaixa

Asia|

* 1LINK
* ALTO
* atm5
* ATM Bersama
* BancNet
* Banks ATM Network and Customer Services
* Cashnet
* CashTree
* Clearing House Automated Transfer System (CHATS)
* Dutch Bangla Bank Nexus
* Encash Network Service
* Electronic Payment Services (EPS)
* EZ-Link
* Faster Payment System (FPS)
* Isracard
* JETCO
* LankaPay
* Link
* MEPS
* MEPS+
* MITR ATM Sharing Network
* MNET
* MyClear
* National Financial Switch
* Nationlink
* NETS
* PRIMA/ATM BCA
* RuPay
* Saudi Payments Network
* Shetab Banking System
* SLIPS
* The Benefit Company
* Treats/ATM BNI
* UnionPay
* Yucho

Europe|

* 4B
* Allied Irish Banks Banklink
* Bancomat
* Eufiserv
* Euro 6000
* Euronet Worldwide
* Girocard
* Bankcard-Servicenetz
* Cash Group
* CashPool
* Groupement des Cartes Bancaires CB
* LINK
* Multibanco
* Otto.
* Sbercard
* Servired
* Single Euro Payments Area
* Vocalink
* Zolotaya Korona

North America|

* Abby
* Accel/The Exchange
* Acculink
* Alberta Regional Network
* Allpoint
* Armed Forces Financial Network
* ATH
* CarIFS
* CO-OP Financial Services
* Discover Network
* Pulse
* TYME
* FIS's
* NYCE
* SUM
* Interac
* Interlink
* Jeanie
* MoneyPass
* Presto!
* SHAZAM
* STAR
* Alert
* BankMate
* Cactus
* Cash Station
* Explore
* Honor
* Money Access Center
* Via
* MOST

Oceania|

* EFTPOS

South America|

* Banco 24 Horas
* Banelco
* A Toda Hora
* Banred
* GlobalNet
* Redbanc
* Suiche7B

* Book
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Credit, charge and debit cards

Major cards|

* American Express
* Diners Club
* Mastercard
* Debit Mastercard
* Maestro
* Visa
* Visa Debit
* Visa Electron

Regional and
specialty cards|

* Bancomat
* BC Card
* BCA Card
* Cabcharge
* Dankort
* Discover
* EFTPOS
* Electronic Payment Services (EPS)
* Elo
* Forbrugsforeningen
* Girocard
* Interac
* Isracard
* JCB
* Mir
* MEPS
* NETS
* PayPak
* RuPay
* Troy
* UnionPay
* UATP
* V Pay
* Verve

Defunct cards|

* Access
* Bankcard
* Carte Blanche
* Carte Bleue
* Choice
* enRoute
* Eurocard
* Everything
* Laser
* Rail Travel Card
* Revolution Card
* Solo
* Switch
* PIN

Accounts|

* Payment card number
* Card association
* Card enclosure
* Credit card balance transfer
* Credit limit
* Installment credit
* Revolving account
* Deposit account
* Current/checking account
* Savings account
* ATM card
* Fees

Debt|

* Cash advance
* Charge-off

Interest|

* Grace period
* Introductory rate
* Universal default

Payment|

* Card not present transaction
* Chargeback
* Controlled payment number
* Dispute

Interchange|

* Interchange fee
* Surcharge
* Card scheme

Security|

* Card security code
* Chargeback fraud
* Credit card fraud
* Credit card hijacking

Technology|

* Automated teller machine
* Contactless payment
* EMV
* Hardware security module
* Interbank network
* Magnetic stripe card
* Payment terminal
* Personal identification number
* Secure cryptoprocessor
* Smart card

Banking|

* Issuing bank
* Acquiring bank

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