Bahraini Fintech firm Benefit and Singapore’s digital payments & fintech company Ant International have entered into a collaboration to introduce cross-border QR payments in Bahrain in 2026.

The partnership integrates Benefit’s QR payment scheme and Ant International’s Alipay+ global wallet gateway.

The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of cross-border payment solutions connecting Bahrain with worldwide markets.

As a result of this partnership, over 15,000 merchants in Bahrain are expected to accept QR payments from international payment partners connected to Alipay+.

At present, Alipay+ is said to link over 1.8 billion user accounts from more than 40 digital payment partners to upwards of 150 million merchants in more than 100 markets worldwide.

Both firms said soon they will also be exploring the launch of outbound payment offerings via Alipay+.

This would enable consumers in Bahrain to utilise their local payment methods internationally through the BENEFIT network, which links all banks in the nations, enabling digital payments at various Alipay+ enabled merchants across the globe.

In addition, the alliance includes the exchange of knowledge and technical know-how, as well as joint marketing initiatives.

The planned launch of Alipay+ in Bahrain follows recent developments by Ant International in the Middle East.

This includes the opening of its first Middle East office in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of a broader effort to widen collaborations within the region.

Beyond Bahrain, Alipay+ is already integrated with ten national QR payment schemes in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia, according to Ant International.

Benefit chief executive Abdulwahed AlJanahi said: “Our collaboration with Ant International will contribute to building an advanced infrastructure that strengthens the link between local and international markets, providing users with secure, seamless, and world-class payment experience.

“This initiative represents a pivotal step toward developing innovative financial solutions that enhance cross-border payments and accelerate digital transformation within the financial sector. It further cements BENEFIT’s role as a strategic partner in shaping a smarter and more sustainable future for Bahrain’s financial ecosystem, in line with the Kingdom’s vision of a knowledge-based digital economy.”