The Central Bank of Syria completed the country’s first international electronic payment using a Mastercard in more than 15 years, following the technical work required to reconnect Syria’s payment system to the global network. The purchase at a local merchant marked the shift from technical testing and readiness to live acceptance of international card payments. The transaction was conducted in cooperation with QNB Syria and Mastercard. The central bank plans to expand acceptance of international cards gradually while developing electronic payment and transfer infrastructure in line with applicable technical, regulatory and compliance requirements.
2026-08-30Central Bank of Syria
Central Bank of Syria completes first international Mastercard payment in more than 15 years
The Central Bank of Syria completed the country’s first Mastercard payment in more than 15 years after reconnecting its payment system to the global network. The live transaction, conducted with QNB Syria and Mastercard, paves the way for a gradual expansion of international card acceptance.