Qatar Central Bank Joins the Gulf Payments System AFAQ

Qatar Central Bank (QCB) announced the successful implementation of the AFAQ Switch, delivered by ProgressSoft, enabling Qatar’s participation in the AFAQ Payments System, operated by the Gulf Payments Company (GPC). The implementation establishes the national connectivity required for participating Qatari commercial banks to access the system and integrates with both the AFAQ Central Component and QCB’s Real-Time Gross Settlement system to enable the settlement of AFAQ transactions.

Under the centralized architecture adopted by QCB, participating banks connect to AFAQ through a common national switch rather than establishing individual connections with the regional system. Designed and implemented in line with the central bank’s requirements, the platform maintains settlement centrally through QCB’s infrastructure while providing the flexibility to onboard additional Qatari banks as participation expands.

ProgressSoft also supported the integration of participating Qatari commercial banks with AFAQ, enabling greater connectivity with the regional payments system.

“Qatar’s participation in AFAQ marks another milestone in the evolution of the country’s payments landscape,” said Amjad Zawyani, Country Manager, ProgressSoft Qatar. “The AFAQ Switch provides a common national gateway through which participating Qatari banks can access the regional system, with the flexibility to onboard additional banks over time. We are proud that ProgressSoft’s technology supports Qatar Central Bank’s connectivity to AFAQ and its contribution to more seamless cross-border payments across the GCC.”

The AFAQ implementation further builds on ProgressSoft’s long-standing relationship with Qatar Central Bank and its role across Qatar’s payments infrastructure. Qatar’s Automated Clearing House system, Tahweel, operated by the central bank and powered by ProgressSoft’s technology, forms an integral part of the country’s domestic payments ecosystem, while ProgressSoft’s Payments Hub Platform supports financial institutions in connecting to national payment infrastructure as well as regional and international payment networks and services. AFAQ further extends this contribution into regional cross-border connectivity within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Operated by the Gulf Payments Company, AFAQ connects payment and settlement infrastructures across GCC countries to facilitate cross-border financial transfers in GCC currencies. QCB’s participation completes the connection of all six GCC central banks to the regional system.

The implementation extends ProgressSoft’s contribution in Qatar from national clearing and settlement to regional cross-border payments, reinforcing the company’s continued focus on building interoperable payment infrastructures that connect central banks and financial institutions across national and regional financial ecosystems.