barq, a digital wallet operating in Saudi Arabia, has entered a partnership with Thunes to enhance its remittance offerings.

This collaboration enables barq users to send money internationally, utilising Thunes’ Direct Global Network for real-time transactions to numerous mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide.

The initiative aims to strengthen barq’s presence in the Saudi market by providing international remittance services alongside its existing financial solutions.

The partnership was first announced in 2024, with a focus on expanding service reach and reliability for customers in the region.

Thunes MENA vice-president and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia country head Ahmad Yaacoub said: “We are proud to see our partnership with barq delivering impact at scale.

“With this live launch, Thunes and barq reaffirm their shared commitment to delivering efficient, and customer-focused payment experiences, supporting Saudi Arabia’s vision for a digital-first financial ecosystem.”

Saudi Arabia’s remittance sector, one of the largest globally, is evolving rapidly, influenced by the Vision 2030 programme, which seeks to advance digital payment systems.

The integration of barq’s local market knowledge and Thunes’ international capabilities is intended to enhance the service experience for users.

barq International Partnerships director Thamer Alharbi said: “Our collaboration with Thunes has moved from vision to reality.

“By going live with these services, we are empowering our customers with faster, more reliable remittances and strengthening barq’s role as the digital wallet of choice in Saudi Arabia.

“This is another important step in our journey to deliver innovative and accessible financial services, and Thunes’ trusted solutions are helping us to deliver on this mission.”