EdfaPay Secures SAMA Approval to Launch SmartPOS Services in Saudi Arabia

EdfaPay, a Saudi-based fintech payments technology provider, has secured the necessary technical approvals from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) to activate its Smart SoftPOS service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — a major milestone for digital payments innovation in the region.

The approval clears the way for merchants across the Saudi market to accept digital payments directly on Android smartphones and tablets without the need for dedicated physical point-of-sale terminals. This opens new opportunities for small and medium businesses, on-the-go vendors, and emerging commercial sectors to embrace digital commerce with greater flexibility and lower costs.

Saudi Payments Modernisation Gets a Boost

Saudi Arabia has been pursuing an ambitious digital payments transformation under its Vision 2030 programme, with regulators like SAMA actively encouraging innovation and wider adoption of cashless transactions. The approval of EdfaPay’s Smart SoftPOS service aligns with these efforts to modernise payment infrastructure and support enhanced financial inclusion.

SoftPOS (software-based point-of-sale) technologies turn compatible mobile devices into payment acceptance terminals, enabling contactless acceptance of card and mobile wallet payments securely and directly through merchant smartphones or tablets. This reduces reliance on costly hardware and expands the reach of digital payments to previously underserved merchants.

About the Approval and What It Means

The technical approvals issued by the Payments Authorisation Centre at SAMA confirm that EdfaPay’s Smart SoftPOS solution meets compliance, security and operational requirements under Saudi regulations. With this green light:

• Merchants can use only Android-based devices — such as phones or tablets — to accept NFC-enabled contactless payments.
• The solution eliminates the need for standalone POS hardware, reducing upfront costs and simplifying installation and expansion.
• Banks, licensed payment companies and merchant service providers can integrate EdfaPay’s SoftPOS capabilities into their offerings.
• EdfaPay’s technology — including its contactless payment gateway and integrated payment ecosystem — enables partners to deploy whitelabel and API-driven solutions with unified dashboards for reporting and operations.

This approval positions EdfaPay as a contributor to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving payments landscape, offering an additional digital acceptance channel that complements traditional POS infrastructure.

Why This Matters: Payment Inclusion and Innovation

The rollout of Smart SoftPOS represents a significant step forward in several areas:

1. Empowering Small and Mobile Merchants

With SoftPOS, vendors — including food carts, market stalls, independent services and field sales teams — can accept payments on the go without investing in expensive terminals. This flexibility helps bring more businesses into the digital economy, supporting broader merchant participation.

2. Reducing Barriers to Merchant Digitisation

Traditional POS terminals require procurement, installation, maintenance, and often third-party agreements with banks or service providers. SoftPOS reduces these barriers, allowing merchants to onboard and begin accepting electronic payments more quickly.

3. Driving Cashless Adoption Goals

Saudi regulators have repeatedly emphasised their commitment to reducing cash dependency and increasing electronic payment penetration. Services like SoftPOS make it easier for micro- and small merchants to join cashless networks, boosting overall financial inclusion and aligning with national digital finance strategies.

4. Enhancing Competitive Payment Ecosystem

Allowing agile fintech providers like EdfaPay to operate alongside traditional acquirers fosters competition and innovation. Payment service providers, banks and fintech firms can now offer software-based acceptance solutions that respond to evolving merchant needs.

EdfaPay’s Broader Role in the Fintech Sector

EdfaPay has been positioning itself as a flexible payment technology provider in Saudi Arabia, particularly for merchants and banks seeking alternatives to traditional POS offerings. Earlier in its development, the company obtained a technical licence for SoftPOS technology, a foundational step toward its broader SmartPOS launch.

Its platform features a comprehensive payment ecosystem that includes:

• SoftPOS for contactless payments.
• A secure e-payment gateway for online and offline channels.
• API-driven solutions that payment partners can customise and brand.
• Multi-channel digital payment acceptance methods integrated through a centralised interface.

By focusing on flexible, software-centric payment acceptance, EdfaPay’s offerings cater to diverse segments — from SMEs and freelancers to larger institutions looking to innovate payment flows.

Regulatory and Market Context

Saudi Arabia’s payments ecosystem has seen rapid advancement in recent years, with regulators and national schemes such as mada expanding mobile and digital payment solutions. The launch of mobile wallets like Google Pay and other services reflects a broader trend toward digital payment adoption in the region.

SAMA’s approval process ensures that new payment technologies comply with security standards and risk management requirements, protecting both merchants and consumers. SoftPOS approvals like that granted to EdfaPay underscore the regulator’s commitment to nurturing fintech innovation while maintaining the integrity of the payments infrastructure.

What This Means for Partners and Merchants

For banks and licensed payment companies in Saudi Arabia, integrating EdfaPay’s SoftPOS solution can:

• Expand merchant acceptance offerings without major infrastructure costs.
• Provide API-driven and white-label SoftPOS solutions under partner branding.
• Allow seamless transition from hardware-centric POS to software-based acceptance models.
• Offer enhanced reporting, control and analytics through unified payment dashboards.

For merchants, adopting Smart SoftPOS can mean:

• Acceptance of contactless and card-based payments using smartphones or tablets.
• Lower cost of entry into digital payment acceptance.
• A flexible sales acceptance environment that supports on-site, pop-up and mobile commerce.

Looking Ahead: Payments Innovation in Saudi Arabia

As digital payments continue to evolve, SoftPOS and similar software-based solutions are expected to play a growing role in supporting merchant adoption, particularly among smaller enterprises. By enabling payment acceptance on everyday devices, SoftPOS simplifies commerce and improves access to financial services — a priority for regulators and fintech innovators alike.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative emphasises the digitisation of financial services, and approvals like EdfaPay’s SmartPOS launch reflect the momentum behind building a modern, cashless payments ecosystem.