Ant International opens first Middle East office in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Ant International, a prominent global provider of digital payment, digitization, and financial technology, has inaugurated a new office in the central business district of Al-Olaya, Riyadh.

This expansion comes after the company successfully received technical certification as a Payment Technical Service Provider (PTSP) from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).

The new office will enable Ant International to collaborate more effectively with local partners in the payment ecosystem. The company aims to offer innovative payment solutions and inclusive financial services to local acquirers and merchants, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia.

This strategic move also enhances Riyadh’s position as a hub for international businesses seeking to establish operations in the Kingdom.

Antom, one of Ant International’s business pillars, is a unified digital payment solution for merchants. Antom is set to launch in the local market later this year, providing e-commerce acquirers and local merchants with new growth opportunities in alignment with SAMA’s economic priorities for the Kingdom.

“The opening of our Riyadh office represents a significant milestone for Ant International in the Middle East and demonstrates our strong commitment to contributing to the economic growth of Saudi Arabia,” said Leiming Chen, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International.

“Under the continued support and guidance of SAMA and the Ministry of Investment (MISA), we’ve taken our first steps to support businesses across the Kingdom by offering digital inclusion. We greatly value the dynamic payment market in Saudi Arabia, shaped by SAMA’s progressive policies and the Kingdom’s vibrant economy.”

Antom has established local acquiring capabilities in over 40 markets, enabling merchants to integrate seamlessly with numerous payment methods and facilitating transactions in more than 100 currencies. The service also customizes payment solutions to meet the distinct needs of various industries.

In the future, Antom payment services, including its advanced payment gateway solution, will support local businesses in Saudi Arabia with innovative technologies. These services aim to enhance merchants’ operations through AI-routed payment orchestration, merchant services powered by large language models, and advanced security measures.

The solutions are designed to reduce costs, improve efficiency and transaction security, and streamline foreign exchange risk management. Additionally, companies will be able to refine customer targeting using Antom’s digital marketing tools and privacy-computing solutions.

“Ant International’s entry into Saudi Arabia with Antom payment services aligns closely with SAMA’s priorities, providing stability and consumer protection, supporting consumers to buy safely and conveniently through digital payment methods, and fostering the growth of the Kingdom’s fintech sector through the creation of local jobs and talent inclusion programs,” Chen added.