Qatar Central Bank (QCB) recently reported the resilience of the country’s financial system despite global economic challenges, alongside 2.9 percent real GDP growth and sustained strength in the banking sector.
In its 2025 Financial Stability Review announced on X, the report notes that the banking sector maintained strong performance during the year, with total assets rising by 5.1 percent. Capital and liquidity buffers remained comfortably above regulatory minimums, while stress tests confirmed the sector’s ability to withstand adverse scenarios.
The review also highlighted continued progress in Qatar’s digital payments ecosystem. The expansion of the Himyan national payment card and sustained growth of the Fawran instant payment platform contributed to greater reach and efficiency, with total retail payment values increasing by 82 percent compared with 2024.
On cybersecurity and financial-sector resilience, QCB said it conducted the country’s first sector-wide Cyber Resilience Exercise, established a Cyber Forensics Laboratory, and continued the ‘Stay Aware National Information Security Awareness Campaign’. The initiatives were carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, the National Cyber Security Agency, and the Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority.
QCB stated that the combined efforts aim to reinforce information security while further enhancing the stability and efficiency of Qatar’s financial system.
The review also underscored the central bank’s efforts to support the continued modernisation of Qatar’s financial infrastructure and strengthen the sector’s ability to respond to emerging risks.
The growth of digital payment services reflects increasing adoption of electronic transactions and the expansion of secure, efficient payment channels across the country.
QCB’s cybersecurity initiatives represent another key area of focus.
The sector-wide ‘Cyber Resilience Exercise’ was designed to assess preparedness and strengthen the financial system’s capacity to prevent, respond to and recover from cyber incidents.
The establishment of the ‘Cyber Forensics Laboratory’ is also expected to enhance capabilities in investigating and addressing cyber-related incidents.
These developments highlight QCB’s continued focus on maintaining financial stability, strengthening institutional resilience and supporting sustainable economic growth while ensuring Qatar’s financial sector remains well-positioned to navigate future challenges.
