Changeflow GovPing Banking & Finance SAMA launches fintech open banking licensing un...
Routine Notice Added Final

SAMA launches fintech open banking licensing under Vision 2030

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Detected April 7th, 2026
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Summary

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced the launch of a fintech open banking licensing framework under Vision 2030. The initiative establishes a regulatory pathway for fintech companies to obtain open banking licenses, expanding access to the Kingdom's financial services sector. Licensed entities will operate under SAMA's supervisory rulebook.

What changed

SAMA announced the launch of a new open banking licensing framework for fintech companies operating in Saudi Arabia. The initiative supports Vision 2030 objectives by enabling fintech firms to obtain regulatory approval for open banking services. The framework is administered through SAMA's supervision division, with licensing applications processed through the official SAMA portal.

Fintech companies seeking to operate in Saudi Arabia's open banking sector must obtain appropriate licensing from SAMA under this new framework. Existing and prospective fintech firms should review SAMA's regulatory sandbox requirements and permitted fintech listings to understand compliance pathways. Financial institutions and technology companies looking to participate in Saudi Arabia's open banking ecosystem should monitor SAMA's rulebook and licensing guidelines for implementation details.

What to do next

  1. Review SAMA's open banking licensing requirements and application procedures
  2. Assess eligibility for fintech open banking license under Vision 2030 framework
  3. Monitor SAMA's regulatory sandbox and licensed fintech entities listings for updates

Source document (simplified)

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The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced the commencement of licensing fintech companies to provide open banking services, following the successful completion of the regulatory sandbox phase under SAMA's supervision.

The decision reflects SAMA's ongoing efforts to support and enable the financial sector, enhance the efficiency and flexibility of financial transactions, and promote innovation in financial services. This aims to advancing financial inclusion and expanding access to financial services across all segments of society.

Open banking represents an innovative concept in the financial sector, designed to enable customers to securely share their financial information with SAMA's supervised entities that provide new and innovative financial products and services. Open banking also contributes to creating a positive impact across the sector by strengthening partnerships between banks and fintech companies, improving sector infrastructure, and enabling better utilization of customer financial information. This is carried out within a secure regulatory framework that safeguards information and privacy, while building trust in its sharing with the customer consent, through entities supervised by SAMA and compliant with the open banking framework.

The Open Banking Program is part of the National Fintech Strategy, one of the key outcomes of the Saudi Vision 2030. The strategy aims to position the Kingdom as a global fintech hub, where technology-driven financial innovation serves as a foundation for enhancing economic empowerment for individuals and society.

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Licensed Entities Regulatory Sandbox Apply for a License

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Source

Analysis generated by AI. Source diff and links are from the original.

Classification

Agency
SAMA
Instrument
Notice
Legal weight
Non-binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Substantive
Document ID
https://www.sama.gov.sa/en-US/News/Pages/news-1135.aspx

Who this affects

Applies to
Technology companies Financial advisers Investors
Industry sector
5222 Fintech & Digital Payments 5112 Software & Technology 5221 Commercial Banking
Activity scope
Open banking licensing Fintech regulation Financial services authorization
Geographic scope
SA SA

Taxonomy

Primary area
Banking
Operational domain
Compliance
Compliance frameworks
Dodd-Frank
Topics
Financial Services Payments Securities

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