UPI Expands Global Reach: Qatar Becomes the Eighth Country to Accept India's Unified Payments Interface
India's revolutionary digital payment system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has taken another giant stride in its international journey by expanding into Qatar. This move marks Qatar as the eighth country to adopt UPI, following in the footsteps of Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE.
Seamless Digital Payments for Indian Travelers in Qatar
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) International Payments Limited, in partnership with Qatar National Bank, has enabled QR code-based UPI payments across Qatar. Qatar Duty Free is the first merchant in the country to go live with this service, offering Indian visitors a seamless way to make payments without worrying about currency exchange or carrying cash.
With India being the second-largest source of international visitors to Qatar, this initiative will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for millions. Indian tourists and business travelers can now enjoy the convenience of real-time payments throughout Qatar while merchants gain access to a wider customer base.
UPI's Growing Global Footprint
With Qatar onboard, UPI now operates in eight countries globally, strengthening India's ambition to establish UPI as a global payment standard. NPCI International processes nearly 50% of the world's real-time digital payments, underscoring India's leadership in the digital payments space.
Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, highlighted the vision to create a truly interoperable global payment network. The partnership with Qatar National Bank is especially significant for Qatar’s retail and tourism sectors, expected to increase transaction volumes and foster cashless commerce.
Economic Impact and Forward-Looking Plans
UPI's international expansion arrives amid India's dominance in global digital payments, accounting for 48.5% of worldwide real-time payment volumes. In India alone, over 18 billion transactions are processed monthly, amounting to more than Rs 24 lakh crore.
NPCI International’s roadmap includes extending UPI’s presence to four to six additional countries by 2025, with a focus on Thailand and other Southeast Asian markets. Qatar's success story serves as a proof point for UPI's potential to transform payment ecosystems in key tourist and trade hubs.
Conclusion
The arrival of UPI in Qatar is more than just a payment convenience—it is a testament to the growing influence of Indian digital technology across borders. As UPI’s global footprint continues to expand, travelers and merchants worldwide stand to benefit from seamless, secure, and instant digital transactions powered by India’s pioneering payment infrastructure.