The FinTech sector in Qatar is rapidly advancing toward the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, supported by ambitious national strategies and a flexible regulatory environment. These initiatives aim to build a sustainable, knowledge-based economy that is future-ready.
Strategic Foundations of the Financial Ecosystem
Qatar’s FinTech journey is guided by two integrated national strategies that define core sectors and innovation frameworks:
- The Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan.
- The National FinTech Strategy.
These strategies target pivotal objectives by 2030, including achieving 100% readiness for digital payment infrastructure, establishing Qatar as a leading regional FinTech hub, and ensuring active private sector participation.
Pillars of Digital Transformation and Growth
The state relies on four strategic pillars to achieve leadership in the sector:
- Foundations and Infrastructure: Establishing clear regulatory frameworks and developing advanced infrastructure that supports sustainability.
- Growth Drivers: Focusing on business enablement tools such as Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC), excellence in Islamic Banking, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, alongside Insurance Technology (InsurTech).
- Talent Development: Developing world-class curricula in collaboration with universities and launching national programs for practical training and entrepreneurship capacity building.
- Social Impact (FinTouch): Enhancing financial inclusion through crowdfunding, embedded finance, and expanding the adoption of digital services.
Regulatory Empowerment and Market Evolution
Significant progress has been made in regulatory and technical aspects to support startups:
- Issuance of 6 Regulatory Regulations: These include payment services, insurance comparison platforms, “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL), loan-based crowdfunding, digital insurance, and digital banking services.
- Adoption of 9 Emerging Technology Frameworks: Covering Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and technical risk management.
- Launch of the FinTech Development Grant: A joint funding initiative to support regulatory readiness and product development before market deployment.
Success Indicators and Licensing
Progress toward the set targets has reached 42%, with an ambitious goal to have over 35 licensed FinTech companies by 2027. As of 2025, 15 companies have been licensed across various domains:
- E-Wallets: Ooredoo Money, iPay, Cwallet, and Karty.
- Buy Now, Pay Later: PayLater and Tamanna.
- Payment Service Providers: Dibsy, Sadad, SkipCash, Pay2m, My Fatoora, 7sab.com, Tap, Tess Payments, and Noqoody.
Contribution of Qatar FinTech Hub
Between 2020 and 2025, the Qatar FinTech Hub played a fundamental role in supporting the ecosystem:
- Total investments reached QAR 40.8 million.
- The portfolio includes over 80 startups from more than 30 countries.
- Over 40 companies were localized in cooperation with official authorities.
- These efforts contributed to creating over 450 direct and indirect jobs.
About Qatar FinTech Hub
Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH) is a leading platform launched by the Qatar Development Bank to support the growth of the FinTech sector in the country. The hub aims to build a vital ecosystem through incubator and accelerator programs, providing startups and investors access to regulatory support, funding, and international expertise in line with Qatar’s economic diversification goals.
Source: Qatar FinTech Hub
