In a boost to Saudi Arabia’s digital payments ecosystem, global payments intelligence company Thunes has announced key developments: a live partnership with mobile wallet provider barq and an expansion of its real-time cross-border payment capabilities directly into the Kingdom.
These moves, aligning seamlessly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative to digitize the financial sector, aim to enhance remittances for millions of expatriates and businesses.
With remittances projected to hit US $232 billion in inflows by 2025, driven by surging transaction volumes and digital adoption, Thunes is positioning itself to hopefully be a part of this transformation.
The first update centers on the now-live collaboration between Thunes and barq, announced initially in 2024 and recently activated to deliver faster remittances across Saudi Arabia.
barq, a digital wallet in the Middle Eastern Kingdom, joins forces with Thunes to enable its customers to send money seamlessly across borders in real time.
This integration connects barq users to Thunes’ vast Direct Global Network, which spans over 7 billion mobile wallets and bank accounts worldwide, supporting more than 320 payment methods across 130 countries and 80 currencies.
By leveraging Thunes’ in-house SmartX Treasury System and Fortress Compliance Platform, the partnership ensures enhanced speed, control, visibility, and cost efficiencies while maintaining security for real-time transactions.
Thamer Alharbi, Director of International Partnerships at barq, emphasized the partnership’s impact:
“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 alliance not only bolsters barq’s offerings—already including cards and innovative financial solutions—but also caters to the Kingdom’s large, evolving remittance market.
For expatriates, who form a substantial portion of Saudi Arabia’s workforce, this means quicker access to funds for families back home, reducing the delays and fees associated with traditional banking channels.
Ahmad Yaacoub, VP MENA and Country Head for Saudi Arabia at Thunes, added,
“We are proud to see our partnership with barq delivering impact at scale, reaffirming our shared commitment to efficient, customer-focused payment experiences.”
Complementing this partnership, Thunes has independently expanded its real-time cross-border payments infrastructure to Saudi Arabia, allowing instant payouts in Saudi Riyals (SAR) directly to local bank accounts and wallets.
This service integrates with the Saudi banking network, enabling transfers for both individuals and businesses.
According to Thunes’ 2025 Report: Money Without Borders, 65% of expatriates prioritize transaction speed, a demand this expansion directly addresses by offering faster, more cost-efficient, and transparent alternatives to legacy systems.
Businesses, particularly those handling Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage fees, will benefit from secure, on-demand payments, fostering greater economic participation in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic markets.
Yaacoub highlighted the timeliness of the launch: “
Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is undergoing a rapid digital shift, and demand for faster, reliable cross-border payments has never been higher. Our real-time direct payout capability equips our Members to meet these expectations.”
Aik Boon Tan, Chief Network Officer at Thunes, reinforced this, stating,
“Speed is now a necessity in cross-border payments. This expansion delivers instant, secure, and transparent transfers into a rapidly-growing economy.”
Together, these initiatives underscore Thunes‘ commitment to financial inclusion and product development.
The barq partnership enhances localized mobile wallet experiences, while the broader expansion scales real-time capabilities for global players.
As Saudi Arabia accelerates its digital-first agenda, expect these developments to drive down costs, boost efficiency, and open new avenues for economic growth.
With Thunes participating in the Money 2020 Middle East event in Riyadh from September 15–17, 2025, industry stakeholders had an opportunity to explore these advancements.
In an era where borders are blurring through technology, Thunes is aiming to help ensure Saudi Arabia remains connected and competitive.