Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: A new report by Checkout.com found that Saudi consumers are increasingly embracing invisible payments and AI-powered shopping experiences, while continuing to prioritize trust and payment security.

The report, titled ‘MENA Digital Commerce 2026: The New Era of AI in Payments’, showed that 98% of consumers in Saudi Arabia prefer “invisible” payments that eliminate manual entry and redirects during checkout. At the same time, 57% said secure payment processes remain one of the most important factors when shopping online.

The study also highlighted growing readiness for AI-driven commerce in the Kingdom, with 56% of consumers saying they are comfortable allowing AI assistants to shop on their behalf. However, 47% cited privacy concerns as the main barrier to adoption.

According to the report, online shopping activity continues to rise in Saudi Arabia, with 50% of consumers shopping online at least once a week and 67% expecting to increase their online purchases over the next year. Digital wallets are also gaining traction, with 65% of consumers using them regularly for payments and financial management.

Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at Checkout.com, said Saudi Arabia is becoming one of the world’s most advanced digital payment ecosystems, driven by rapid digital transformation and growing demand for secure, seamless, and AI-enabled commerce experiences.