Commercial Bank signs agreement with NPCI International to enable UPI acceptance across its merchant network in Qatar
15 September 2025
Doha, Qatar, September 15, 2025 - Commercial Bank has signed a strategic agreement with NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) QR code acceptance across its merchant network in Qatar. This milestone expands the global reach of UPI, strengthening its position as a trusted enabler of seamless cross-border digital payments.
UPI is a widely used digital payment method in India, processing over 20 billion transactions monthly as of August 2025. Through this agreement, Commercial Bank will introduce UPI acceptance across its wide merchant base, offering customers reliable, real-time, and user-friendly payment options. The partnership will focus on broadening payment choices for Indian travellers elevating their payment experience across retail, hospitality, and F&B sectors.
Shahnawaz Rashid, EGM and Head of Retail Banking, Commercial Bank said, “This collaboration with NPCI International reflects Commercial Bank’s commitment to innovation and responsiveness to market needs. UPI is a proven success in India, and we are proud to support its expansion in Qatar, enhancing convenience and customer experience across our network.”
Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, said, “We are happy to partner with Commercial Bank to expand UPI acceptance in Qatar. This collaboration will soon enable Indian travellers to experience the same convenience, simplicity and trust they experience when using UPI in India.”
This agreement underlines Commercial Bank’s leadership in digital transformation, expanding secure and convenient payment solutions for customers while contributing to the future of cashless transactions in Qatar and NIPL’s commitment to expanding UPI’s global presence, enabling secure and convenient cross-border payments, advancing the future of cashless transactions.
About NPCI International:
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) was incorporated on April 3, 2020, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). As NPCI’s international arm, NIPL is devoted to deploying NPCI’s indigenous, successful real-time payment system—Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and card scheme (RuPay) outside of India. NPCI has successfully developed and proved its products and technological capabilities in the domestic market by transforming the payment segment in India. Currently, there are several countries that seek to establish a real-time payment system or a domestic card scheme. NIPL, with its knowledge and experience, can offer these countries technological assistance through licensing and consulting for building real-time payment systems to meet the rapidly evolving needs of fast-growing global businesses. NIPL focuses on transforming payments across the globe through technology and innovation. It will not only enable payments for Indians but also support other countries by enhancing their payment capabilities using technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure.
About Commercial Bank:
Incorporated in 1974 as the first private bank in the country, Commercial Bank is today one of the leading financial institutions in Qatar with a profitable track record since inception. We continue to play an important role in driving innovation and raising service standards in banking across the region through our investment in new technology, a clear focus on customers and prudent management.
Our country-wide network includes 27-location-strong physical network, a cornerstone of Commercial Bank's distribution approach, and 313 ATMs, and we also own and operate the exclusive ‘Diners Club’ franchise in Qatar and Turkey. We are listed on the Qatar Exchange and were the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts on the London Stock Exchange. Commercial Bank’s bonds issuances are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and the Swiss Exchange (SIX).
Our continual investment in technology and people, together with our strong capital base, provides a solid foundation for further growth. Commercial Bank has a robust financial position, with total assets of QAR 182.1 billion and Net profit after Pillar Two Taxes of QAR 1,261.4 as at 30 June 2025. The Bank enjoys strong credit ratings of 'A' rating with a Stable outlook by Fitch, and 'A-' rating with a Stable outlook by S&P and 'A2' rating with a Stable outlook by Moody’s.
Throughout 2025, Commercial Bank won the following prestigious awards:
- Excellence in Mobile Banking” Award at the 2025 Finnovex Qatar Summit
- Most Innovative Use of AI Technology by International Finance
- Best Performing Bank in Qatar by The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks Rankings 2025
- Best Mobile Banking App in the Middle East award by Global Finance.
- Best Digital Bank in the Middle East by World Finance.