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WAMD onboards 30% of Kuwait鈥檚 banked population in first 3 months; real-time transactions powered by KNET and ACI Worldwide up more than 12x since 2024

OMAHA, Neb. & KUWAIT CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (NASDAQ: ACIW), an original innovator in global payments technology, and , Kuwait鈥檚 national electronic banking company, today announced that WAMD, Kuwait鈥檚 real-time payment system, recorded significant growth in the number of transactions processed since its launch in June of 2024, making WAMD one of the world鈥檚 most rapidly adopted real-time payment initiatives.

KNET utilized solution to build the central payment infrastructure of WAMD, an interoperable, countrywide scheme that enables account-to-account (A2A) payment transfers via a bank鈥檚 mobile app or internet banking service by using a phone number. WAMD was implemented in less than 15 months, redefining the pace for rapid digital transformation and innovation. Banks in Kuwait have lauded the scheme for delivering a seamless and user-friendly differentiated customer banking experience. With 100% of the country鈥檚 banks now on board with WAMD, this extraordinary growth in real-time payments is expected to continue.

鈥淎s real-time payments become ubiquitous in Kuwait, consumers have gravitated toward secure, real-time payment methods, reshaping habits around convenience and efficiency while reducing reliance on cash. KNET鈥檚 primary strategic focus is to provide a safe and reliable payment environment by enhancing existing infrastructure, developing innovative payment systems, and improving service efficiency domestically and regionally,鈥� said Esam Alkheshnam, KNET鈥檚 Chief Executive Officer.

Alkheshnam added that 鈥淚PS in Kuwait was given the name 鈥榃AMD,鈥� which translates to lightning flash 鈥� an indication of the speed of the service. WAMD, which is available on the banking application of all local banks, has gained traction from the start with one million registered users during the first quarter of the launch of WAMD.

鈥淎s soon as we introduced the service to Kuwait, we began outlining the next phase of IPS in Kuwait, which will build on the success of phase one. Together with ACI Worldwide, being one of our strategic partners, KNET is committed to adopting state-of-the-art technologies in digital payments, adhering to the highest global standards.鈥�

Aligned with KNET鈥檚 mission of supporting Kuwait鈥檚 national vision for digital transformation, longer-term strategic initiatives include the integration of Kuwait鈥檚 fintech players to WAMD and enabling A2A real-time payments in their Electronic Fund Transfer Point-of-Sale terminals using dynamic QR codes. KNET is also looking at implementing the 鈥淩equest to Pay鈥� service to streamline payment operations for web merchants and provide a safer, enhanced e-commerce shopping experience for Kuwaitis.

Kuwait鈥檚 evolution into a real-time payment powerhouse is set to further propel the Middle East鈥檚 position as a leader in payments modernization. According to ACI鈥檚 , which tracks global real-time payment volumes and growth forecasts, the Middle East has been recognized as the fastest-growing real-time payments market in the world for two consecutive years. Additionally, real-time payments are a powerful enabler for economic advancement and inclusion. ACI鈥檚 AG真人官方-Time Payments: Economic Impact and Financial Inclusion report indicates that by 2028, real-time payments are forecast to create more than 167 million new bank account holders and generate $285.8 billion of additional global GDP growth.

鈥淜uwait鈥檚 rapid adoption of real-time payments has been impressive and stands out as one of the fastest adoption rates around the globe. The rising demand for real-time payments drives innovation in payments, forges new use cases that stimulate economic growth, promotes financial inclusion, and meets customers鈥� evolving expectations,鈥� commented Craig Ramsey, global head of account-to-account payments at ACI Worldwide. 鈥淭ogether, ACI and KNET have created one of the most secure and future-proof real-time payment systems in the world 鈥� one that puts Kuwait at the forefront of the global real-time payments revolution.鈥�

ACI Worldwide has a strong track record of powering real-time schemes around the world as well as helping banks, fintechs and other payment service providers in the ecosystem to connect to the schemes and offer new, innovative financial services for consumers and businesses. ACI currently powers 26 domestic and pan-regional real-time schemes across six continents 鈥� including 11 central infrastructures. Globally, ACI serves all 10 of the world鈥檚 largest financial institutions by asset value and provides solutions that move trillions of dollars through more than one billion transactions daily.

About KNET

The Shared Electronic Banking Services Company (KNET), a pioneer in electronic payments in Kuwait, was established in 1992 through a partnership of local banks to connect their systems and enable a wide range of banking services through an advanced network. KNET is committed to adopting state-of-the-art technologies in various fields of electronic banking and payments, adhering to the highest global standards. The company's targeted sectors include commercial, banking, and governmental sectors in Kuwait.

About ACI Worldwide

, an original innovator in global payments technology, delivers transformative software solutions that power intelligent payments orchestration in real time so , , and can drive growth, while continuously modernizing their payment infrastructures, simply and . With 50 years of trusted payments expertise, we combine our global footprint with a local presence to offer enhanced payment experiences to stay ahead of constantly changing payment challenges and opportunities.

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ACI, ACI Worldwide, ACI Payments, Inc., ACI Pay, Speedpay and all ACI product/solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACI Worldwide, Inc., or one of its subsidiaries, in the United States, other countries or both. Other parties鈥� trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

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KNET Media Contact

Mai Al-Sharida | Director 鈥� Business Development | [email protected]



ACI Media Contacts

Nick Karoglou | Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs | [email protected]

Lyn Kwek | Communications and Corporate Affairs Director, APAC/Middle East/Africa | [email protected]

Source: ACI Worldwide