Why the new Visa & Mastercard partnership matters
In May 2026 the Central Bank of Syria (CBS) announced that local banks and licensed electronic payment providers are now authorized to connect with global card networks Visa and Mastercard [1]. This breakthrough removes a long‑standing barrier for Syrian e‑commerce sites, enabling them to accept international cards and reach customers beyond the country’s borders.
Immediate benefits for Syrian businesses
- Broader customer base – Tourists, diaspora, and regional shoppers can pay with familiar cards, increasing conversion rates.
- Reduced cash handling – Lower risk of theft and accounting errors.
- Enhanced trust – Card payments signal credibility, encouraging larger orders.
- Simplified cross‑border transactions – Faster settlement and clearer FX rates.
What you need to do
- Choose a compatible payment gateway – Options such as PAYMERA, BankABC Pay, or international providers now supported by Visa/Mastercard.
- Integrate the gateway API – Follow the provider’s SDK docs; most offer ready‑made plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom stacks.
- Secure your checkout – Implement SSL, tokenization, and 3‑D Secure (3DS) to protect card data.
- Test with sandbox cards – The CBS regulatory sandbox allows you to trial transactions before going live [2].
- Update your terms & privacy – Reflect the new payment methods and compliance with local data‑protection rules.
How Dragonfly Soft can help
Navigating the new payment ecosystem can be complex. Our end‑to‑end service includes:
- Free discovery workshop – We assess your current checkout flow and recommend the best gateway.
- Custom integration – Development of a seamless, secure payment module tailored to your platform.
- Compliance & security review – Ensuring PCI‑DSS standards and alignment with CBS regulations.
- Training & support – Hands‑on sessions for your team and ongoing monitoring.
Ready to start accepting Visa and Mastercard? Contact us or learn more about our payment integration service.
