Mastercard launches Mastercard Gateway in Syria

Mastercard has launched Mastercard Gateway in Syria. The platform is designed to let banks, businesses, and financial institutions process digital payments at points of sale and in ecommerce.

The service is available through Merchant Cloud, Mastercard’s unified payments platform. Its services include agentic commerce capabilities, fraud protection, tokenisation, data insights, and hosted checkout.

In-store and online processing through local banks

Mastercard Gateway combines Mastercard’s payment technology with local infrastructure to process transactions in stores and online. Syrian banks can use the platform to extend card acceptance to more merchants, from large retailers to small and medium-sized businesses.

Gaurang Shah, Mastercard’s Executive Vice President for Global Acceptance and Merchant Solutions, said the gateway gives merchants in the country a simple and secure way to access digital payments.

Mastercard expects the launch to help merchants reach more customers, expand into ecommerce, and reduce their reliance on cash. The platform may also make it easier for international online businesses to enter the Syrian market.

Syria’s return to international card networks

The launch is the latest step in reconnecting Syria with global payment networks. In September 2025, the Central Bank of Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with Mastercard to cooperate on developing the country’s digital payments system. In May 2026, the central bank authorised local banks to work with international card schemes.

In August 2026, Mastercard and QNB Group processed Syria’s first international card payment in more than 15 years. This took place shortly after the United States removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Adam Jones, Mastercard’s Division President for West Arabia, said reconnecting Syria to the international payments ecosystem is important for the country’s economic recovery. He also said it can help people and businesses participate in the global economy.

Mastercard says it will continue working with partners in Syria. The company presents Gateway as a step towards broader merchant acceptance, greater financial inclusion, and growth for small and medium-sized businesses.