Khaberni - Barq, the fastest-growing financial app in Saudi Arabia and beyond, announced the launch of a global payment service via QR code in partnership with Alipay+, the unified portal for digital wallets by Ant International.
This partnership enables over 12 million Barq app users to make payments by scanning a QR code with their mobile devices at merchants supporting Alipay+ abroad, in over 220 global markets, linking Barq users to a global system that includes sectors like restaurants, retail, transportation, healthcare, and others, when they travel to popular tourist and business destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Barq is the first payment partner for Alipay+ in the Middle East to provide external payments via QR code, in a move that expands the scope of its services beyond local transactions to provide a seamless global payment experience. The service is scheduled to be launched gradually for Barq users starting from May 2026.
This partnership aims to support the development of the digital payments sector in line with the targets of Saudi Vision 2030 and contribute to achieving a society less dependent on cash, alongside supporting the building of a modern digital payments infrastructure in the Kingdom.
Ant International is a leading global company in digital payments, financial technologies, and digital transformation, providing a unified technology platform that supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve comprehensive and sustainable growth. Alipay+ offers its unified portal for digital wallets, providing payment services and digital services that connect merchants around the world with consumers, linking more than two billion user accounts at more than 50 international payments partners — including digital wallets and banking apps — to more than 150 million merchants in over 220 global markets.
Ahmad Al-Anzi, founder and CEO of Barq said:
"Being the first payment partner for Alipay+ in the Middle East reflects our ambition in leadership and innovation. This partnership enables our customers to pay globally with the same ease they experience locally, setting a new standard for the financial technology sector in the Kingdom, and accelerating the achievement of our vision in connecting users to the global economy."
On his part, Pietro Candela, General Manager for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region at Alipay+, commented:
"Alipay+ is pleased to collaborate with Barq to enhance payments via QR code starting from the Kingdom, in direct support of the innovation targets of Vision 2030. At Ant International, we continue our commitment to supporting financial flows, enhancing digital inclusion for small and medium enterprises, and innovative collaboration with local partners to accelerate digital transformation in the Kingdom."
