1. What is Qatar NAPS (QPay)?
NAPS (National ATM & POS Switch), commonly referred to as QPay, is the electronic payment backbone managed under the oversight of Qatar Central Bank (QCB). Every debit card issued by any licensed bank in the State of Qatar (such as QNB, CBQ, Doha Bank, QIIB, Ahli Bank, or Dukhan Bank) is linked to NAPS.
When a consumer checks out via NAPS, funds are deducted directly from their checking account via secure two-factor SMS OTP authentication, eliminating the high interest and credit limits associated with Visa or Mastercard.
2. The Dominance of MADA and KNET in the Gulf
A common mistake international merchants make when entering the GCC market is assuming buyers rely on credit cards. In reality:
Failing to support these national debit rails creates instant friction, resulting in abandoned checkouts and lost revenue.
3. Processing Fees: Debit Networks vs Credit Cards
| Payment Rail | Average Processing Fee | Chargeback Risk | Settlement Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar NAPS (QPay) | 1.1% – 1.6% | Near Zero (OTP Verified) | Next business day |
| Saudi MADA | 1.0% – 1.5% | Near Zero (OTP Verified) | Next business day |
| Kuwait KNET | Fixed or <1.25% | Near Zero (OTP Verified) | 1-2 business days |
| International Credit Cards | 2.6% – 3.5% + fixed fee | Moderate / High | 3-7 business days |
By routing the majority of transactions through national debit networks, merchants instantly reclaim 1.5% to 2.0% in pure margin.
4. Connecting National Gateways on AddQart in 24 Hours
On legacy platforms like Shopify, connecting NAPS requires bespoke developer integrations or high-fee intermediaries.
On AddQart, national gateways are native first-class citizens:
