Driving Vision 2030 Through Digital Payments Innovation
Saudi Arabia has taken a major step forward in its fintech ambitions by expanding its partnership with global payments provider ACI Worldwide.
The deal, made with iNet, the Kingdom’s first SAMA-licensed Network Service Provider, aims to scale digital transaction capabilities in line with Vision 2030.
Real-Time Payments to Power a Cashless Economy
The enhanced partnership centers on deploying ACI’s Postilion platform, a proven solution for real-time, high-volume transaction processing.
The system is expected to handle over 1 billion transactions annually by 2028, up from over 5 million processed daily today.
Saudi Arabia’s goal is to make 70% of all transactions digital by 2030.
This initiative supports broader national goals of economic diversification and financial inclusion.
ACI’s Regional Strategy and Saudi’s Fintech Infrastructure
ACI Worldwide views Saudi Arabia as one of the fastest-growing real-time payments markets globally.
The company has established dual data centers in the Kingdom to meet local compliance and resilience standards.
These centers will support next-gen services such as SoftPOS, QR code transactions, and link-based payments.
ACI’s technology is also designed to scale for large events like the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
Mobile Wallets Reach Mainstream Adoption
Saudi Arabia ranks among the top ten nations globally for mobile wallet usage.
Around 80% of the population actively uses digital wallets for daily purchases and peer-to-peer transfers.
This surge in adoption reflects the success of policy frameworks introduced by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).
The focus remains on fostering a modern, secure, and accessible digital financial ecosystem.
AI-Powered Security Enhances Consumer Confidence
ACI’s platform includes advanced fraud orchestration tools powered by artificial intelligence and behavioral analytics.
These tools help prevent transaction fraud in real time, protecting consumers and merchants across the ecosystem.
As digital payments grow, so do cyber threats.
Saudi Arabia’s emphasis on security-first fintech architecture is a key pillar in sustaining long-term growth.
iNet’s Role as National Network Service Provider
iNet’s exclusive status as a licensed NSP allows it to integrate deeply with banks, merchants, and regulators.
This ensures seamless, compliant deployment of digital payment services across the country.
Its work with ACI reinforces its mandate to support national infrastructure while accelerating fintech adoption.
A Model for the Region
Saudi Arabia’s fintech blueprint is rapidly becoming a model for the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Governments and institutions are closely watching the Kingdom’s progress in real-time infrastructure and open finance.
The success of this initiative could pave the way for more public–private partnerships focused on payment innovation.
Conclusion: Fintech Momentum Accelerates
With robust investment, secure systems, and forward-thinking regulation, Saudi Arabia is poised to lead MENA’s digital finance transformation.
The ACI–iNet partnership marks a key milestone in that journey.
As Vision 2030 accelerates, expect Saudi Arabia to become a global benchmark in fintech modernization.