Electronic payments now account for about 51% of online purchases in Lebanon, according to figures from the Ministry of Economy and Trade, marking a notable shift in a market that became heavily reliant on cash after the 2019 banking collapse.
Banque du Liban has issued circulars, prepared with relevant ministries, covering electronic wallets, money transfer companies, financial institutions, exchange houses and banks. The measures aim to reduce cash transactions and strengthen compliance.
Adoption remains uneven outside major commercial areas. Card terminals are available at around 1,100 of Lebanon’s 3,200 petrol stations and about 1,000 of 3,600 pharmacies. Large supermarkets and restaurants have wider coverage.
Usage has increased even without a major expansion in terminal numbers. Card payments at pharmacies rose from 16% to 23%, while restaurants climbed from 15% to 35% and large supermarkets from 17% to 36%, according to ministry data.
The new rules cap merchant commissions in essential sectors at between 0.9% and 1.2%, down from rates that reached about 2.5% or more. Customers cannot be charged an additional fee, and complaints can be submitted through the Ministry of Economy and Trade’s digital services.
The government is also installing terminals in public institutions, with about 38 devices now distributed across the governorates.
Source: LEB Business
