Saudi Payments Network

Payment system in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Payments Network (mada)

Native name

| الشبكة السعودية للمدفوعات (مدى)
Company type| Government
Industry| Finance
Founded| 1990; 35 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]

## Overview

[edit]

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[1]

[edit]

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

* 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 customers.

## Services and Features

[edit]

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

[edit]

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. through MADA
* 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

[edit]

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 | مصرف الإنماء
2 | Al-Rajhi Bank | مصرف الراجحي
3 | Arab National Bank (ANB) | البنك العربي الوطني
4 | Bank AlBilad | بنك البلاد
5 | Bank Aljazira | 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 السعودي الأول (ساب)
10 | Saudi National Bank (SNB) | البنك الأهلي السعودي
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 | بنك إس تي سي
3 | Vision Bank | فيزيون بنك
Digital E-Wallets [Electronic Money Institution (EMI)]  No. | E-Wallet Name  | Issues Mada Cards  | Mada Pay Support

|
|
|

1 | STC Pay [Transitioned to STC Bank ]  |  |
2 | Urpay |  |
3 | Tiqmo | Coming soon |
4 | Barq |  |
5 | Alinma Pay |  |
6 | Mobily Pay |  |
7 | Tweeq |  |
8 | Enjaz | Un­known |
9 | Hala [For Business Only]  |  |
10 | Sifi [For Business Only]  | Coming soon |
11 | NEO By SNB Bank  |  |
12 | Loop |  | Coming soon
13 | Bouki By Riyad Bank  |  | Maybe
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 |
2 |  United Arab Emirates | First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) |

## History

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* 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]

## Images and Logo

[edit]

SPAND CARD OLD SPAN logo Mada and Networks accepted in ATM's in Saudi Mada Sticker that shows all accepted networks in Saudi Mada and some networks accepted sticker at a shop in Saudi vertical Mada and some networks accepted sticker at a shop in Saudi horizontal MADA ONLY ACCEPTED STICKER Mada only accepted on a POS Device Multiple networks supported on a mada pos device MADA STICKER BLACK BACKGROUND

## See also

[edit]

* Saudi Arabia portal

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "MADA Official Website". MADA.
2. ^ "MADA CARDS".
3. ^ "MADA PAY".
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Mada History".
5. ^ "To Enhance Payments Ecosystem, SAMA Announces the Launch of "Samsung Pay" Service in Saudi Arabia". www.sama.gov.sa. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
6. ^ "To Enhance Digital Payments: SAMA Enables JCB Cards Acceptance in the Kingdom". www.sama.gov.sa. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
7. ^ "SAMA and Google Sign Agreement to Bring Google Pay to KSA during 2025". www.sama.gov.sa. Retrieved 2025-02-18.

## External links

[edit]

* MADA home page

* v
* t
* e

Interbank networks by region

Worldwide|

* CLS
* Cirrus
* Plus
* SWIFT

Africa|

* 123 (Egypt)
* Multicaixa (Angola)

Asia|

* ArCa (Armenia)
* BEFTN (Bangladesh)
* LankaPay (Sri Lanka)
* PayNet (Malaysia)
* Saudi Payments Network (Saudi Arabia)
* Shetab Banking System (Iran)
* Isracard (Israel)
* The Benefit Company (Bahrain)
* UnionPay (China)

| Pakistan|

* 1LINK
* MNET

|

Indonesia|

* ALTO
* ATM Bersama
* ATM Link
* PRIMA

Singapore|

* atm5
* EZ-Link
* MEPS+
* NETS

Philippines|

* BancNet
* ENS
* Nationlink

Hong Kong|

* CHATS
* EPS
* FPS
* JETCO

Japan|

* ACS [ja]
* BANCS [ja]
* LONGS [ja]
* MICS [ja]
* Yucho

India|

* FIS BANCS
* Euronet Cashnet
* CashTree
* MITR
* NFS
* RuPay

Europe|

* Allied Irish Banks Banklink (Ireland)
* Bancomat (Italy)
* Bancontact (Belgium)
* Currence (Netherlands)
* Girocard (Germany)
* Bankcard-Servicenetz
* Cash Group
* CashPool
* Carte Bleue (France)
* KoronaPay
* Mir
* Sbercard (Russia)
* Link
* Vocalink (United Kingdom)
* Multibanco (Portugal)
* Otto. (Finland)
* BH Mreža bankomata (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

| International|

* Eufiserv
* Euronet Worldwide
* European Payments Initiative
* Single Euro Payments Area
* TARGET Services

|

North America|

* Acculink
* Alberta Regional Network
* Armed Forces Financial Network
* ATH
* CarIFS
* Co-op Solutions
* Discover Network
* Pulse
* TYME
* FIS
* NYCE
* SUM
* fiserv
* Accel / The Exchange
* MoneyPass
* First Data
* STAR
* MAC
* Interac
* NCR
* Cardtronics
* Allpoint
* Visa
* Interlink
* Presto!
* SHAZAM
* Zelle

Oceania|

* EFTPOS

South America|

* Banco24Horas (Brazil)
* Banelco (Argentina)
* A Toda Hora (Colombia)
* Banred (Uruguay)
* GlobalNet (Peru)
* Redbanc (Chile)

* Category

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