In today’s rapidly evolving world, where technology is seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, traditional concepts of money are undergoing a significant transformation.
Saudi Arabia is actually one of the fastest nations to adopt cashless payments!
The rise of digital wallets
If you’ve used Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Wallet, that’s a digital wallet!
Digital wallets (aka e-wallets) have emerged as a convenient way to manage money. These virtual counterparts to physical wallets offer Saudi teens the ability to store payment methods, loyalty cards, and even identification documents in a single app on their smartphones.
Advantages of digital wallets
- Convenience: with a digital wallet, there is no need to carry physical cash or cards.
- Security: digital wallets often use encryption and biometric authentication (fingerprint or face ID) to protect user data and financial information.
- Budgeting and tracking: some digital wallets offer features that allow users to track their spending and set budget limits. This can be especially helpful, and it may be hard to track exactly how much you are spending cashless.
- Global accessibility: digital wallets are not bound by geographical limitations.
Cashless Payments in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been actively promoting a cashless society through initiatives like “Vision 2030”. Digital payments are becoming more commonplace, with various options available:
- mada Pay: developed by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), mada Pay is a secure mobile app for Android users to make payments using their phones. It supports contactless payments.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay: these international digital wallet services are also gaining popularity among Saudi teens and young adults, providing a seamless way to make payments both locally and globally.
Check with your financial institute to see if you can opt into digital payment options. Please note for international travel and purchases you may need to inform your bank in advance that you are traveling.
Embracing the future
As Saudi teens and young adults become more tech-savvy, embracing digital wallets and cashless payments is a natural step toward financial literacy and empowerment. Learning to use these tools responsibly can set the foundation for a financially secure future.
Here are some tips if you’re diving into the world of digital wallets:
- Security Measures: enable all available security measures, such as PIN codes, face ID, fingerprint, and notifications for transactions. Regularly update your passwords and keep your phone software up to date!
- Privacy: be cautious about sharing personal and financial information. Only use trusted and reputable digital wallet providers.