barq Expands Beyond Borders with Alipay+ Global QR Payment Launch
RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — barq, one of the fastest-growing financial applications in the Kingdom and the wider region, has announced the launch of global cross-border QR payment services through a strategic partnership with Alipay+, the unified wallet gateway operated by Ant International.
This collaboration enables more than 12 million barq users to make seamless payments by scanning QR codes via their mobile devices at Alipay+ enabled merchants outside Saudi Arabia, covering over 220 global markets. The service connects users to an extensive international ecosystem spanning retail, dining, transportation, healthcare, and other essential services across key travel destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
With this milestone, barq becomes the first Alipay+ payment partner in the Middle East to activate outbound cross-border QR payment capabilities, marking a strategic expansion from domestic transactions to fully integrated global payment experiences. The rollout of the service will begin progressively in May 2026.
The initiative aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, supporting the Kingdom’s transition toward a cashless economy while reinforcing the development of a modern and digitally driven financial infrastructure.
Ant International operates as a leading global fintech provider delivering a unified technology platform for financial institutions and merchants. Its gateway, Alipay+, connects more than 2 billion user accounts from 50 international payment partners with over 150 million merchants across 220+ markets worldwide, enabling seamless cross-border commerce and digital financial inclusion.
Ahmed Alenazi, Founder and CEO of barq, stated:
“Becoming the first partner in the Middle East to collaborate with Alipay+ on cross-border payments reflects our ambition to lead financial innovation. This partnership allows our users to enjoy a unified payment experience globally, as effortlessly as they do locally, reinforcing our commitment to redefining digital finance in the region.”
Pietro Candela, General Manager for EMEA at Alipay+, added:
“We are pleased to partner with barq in advancing QR-based cross-border payments from Saudi Arabia. This collaboration supports Vision 2030 by driving innovation, enhancing SME participation, and strengthening digital financial connectivity across markets.”
