UPI Now Accepted in Qatar

NPCI International Payments Ltd, in partnership with Qatar National Bank (QNB), has enabled the acceptance of QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) across Qatar. The rollout, powered by NETSTARS' payment solution, allows merchants acquired by QNB to accept UPI via point-of-sale terminals.

Qatar Duty Free has become the first merchant in the country to go live on UPI, facilitating seamless digital payments for Indian travellers at major tourist attractions. Indians are the second-largest group of international visitors to Qatar, and the introduction of UPI aims to reduce their dependence on cash and eliminate currency exchange requirements for real-time transactions.

Ritesh Shukla, MD and CEO of NPCI International, said, “We aim to enhance the acceptance of UPI globally and create a truly interoperable global payment network. The partnership with QNB is a step towards this journey.” NPCI International, a subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India, noted that the initiative will support millions of Indian travellers in making secure and convenient digital transactions.

Yousef Mahmoud Al-Neama, Group Chief Business Officer at QNB, highlighted that the rollout not only provides convenience for Indian visitors but also strengthens Qatar’s payments ecosystem. The adoption of UPI is expected to boost retail and tourism sectors by increasing transaction volumes for QNB-acquired merchants, helping them scale their businesses while attracting more customers with seamless digital payment options.

The acceptance of UPI in Qatar is part of a broader trend of global expansion, aligning with other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, France, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Singapore, where UPI has been integrated to support international visitors and residents.

This strategic launch demonstrates Qatar’s commitment to facilitating cashless transactions and promoting interoperability in digital payments, while also enabling local merchants to benefit from a growing digital payment ecosystem.