How contactless payments are emerging as a way of life for consumers and businesses in Qatar

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Visa’s Group Country Manager for GCC

Contactless payments were a growing trend in Qatar even before the pandemic, thanks to high smartphone penetration and a high proportion of millennials. However, since the pandemic, almost all sectors, from healthcare to finance to education and retail, have had to shift to a digital-first mindset as consumers put COVID-19 safety measures at the top of their agenda. The crisis catapulted digital commerce six years into the future in just a few months, leading contactless and other digital payment options to emerge as more popular alternatives to cash.

Currently, contactless payments account for at least one-third of all face-to-face transactions in nearly 50 countries worldwide. This shows that the way people pay for their everyday purchases has shifted towards greater convenience and touchless technology. Globally, nearly two-thirds (65%) of consumers would prefer to use contactless payments as much or even more than they do now, and only 16% say they would return to their old payment methods after the pandemic.