Green-toned cover displaying the title 'Interoperability Index' and 'Cross-Border Payments in the Middle East' with Thunes and Juniper Research logos above.

Report

Regional Interoperability Spotlight: Cross-Border Payments in the Middle East

Thunes and Juniper Research explore how rapid digitalisation, telecom-led wallets, and regional settlement networks are reshaping international money movement across the GCC and broader Middle East.

Discover the structural shifts, market preferences, and digital entry points transforming financial connectivity in the Middle East, and the pain points that persist when sending money beyond the region.

Cross-Border Payments in the Middle East

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What’s inside?

As part of our Interoperability Index series co-developed with Juniper Research, this Middle East spotlight examines how regional initiatives like Buna and AFAQ accelerate intra-regional transfers while highlighting the persistent friction facing extra-regional payments. 

Based on data across 50 global markets, the report breaks down the structural shifts, market preferences, and digital entry points transforming financial connectivity across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait:

  • Regional Progress vs. Global Friction: Regional clearing networks boost local speed, but 45% of Saudi senders need to reach destinations outside the Middle East, leaving international corridors reliant on direct network partnerships.
  • How Telecom Wallets Drive Inclusion: Telco wallets (e.g., stc pay, Ooredoo Money, Zain Cash) fill key accessibility gaps, particularly for regional migrants and younger adults entering formal finance later in life.
  • The Prevalence of Non-Digital Channels: Traditional MTOs and cash pickup channels remain widely used, driving average remittance costs to 7.2% compared to 4.6% for digital transfers.
  • Demand for Speed & Value: Over 80% of Saudi senders report payment improvements in recent years, yet high transfer fees and rigid account structures remain core pain points.
Table of contents listing sections and page numbers for Cross-border payments in the Middle East, Interoperability Index, Appendix, and About Thunes. Section header 'Ranking' with a green ranked table of Middle East countries (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar) and descriptive paragraph text below (report page). Informational graphic: a white rounded text card with dense paragraph about regional interoperability above a Riyadh skyline cityscape. Introduction page of a report: 'Interoperability in the Payments Landscape of the Middle East' with dense explanatory text on surrounding panels. Page from a report titled 'Ranking Deep Dive' with a table of regional scores (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar) across six dimensions and a descriptive paragraph below.