First in 15 Years: Syria’s President Makes Historic Visa Payment

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was filmed using a Visa card at a café in the Old City of Damascus on Wednesday, completing what officials described as the country’s first live international Visa transaction.

Central Bank of Syria Governor Mohammed Safwat Raslan witnessed the payment, which was processed through a mobile card terminal.

The transaction was facilitated by Visa in partnership with Fransabank Lebanon and financial-technology company Paymera.

Payment for coffee

For millions of people around the world, paying with a bank card is an everyday activity. In Syria, years of war, sanctions and financial restrictions made such international transactions difficult or impossible.

The video of al-Sharaa completing the payment was therefore presented as evidence that Syria is beginning to restore its links with global banking and payment networks.

Visa said it plans to make its cards usable by international visitors travelling to Syria.

However, the successful test does not mean Visa payments are now available throughout the country. Banks and businesses will still need approved equipment, reliable internet access, settlement arrangements and effective financial-compliance systems before the service can be widely introduced.

Syria removed from US terrorism list

The transaction came shortly after the United States formally removed Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism on August 24, 2026.

Syria had been included on the list since 1979. The designation carried restrictions affecting financial transactions, foreign assistance, investment and international trade.

The US Treasury said removing the designation could encourage new investment and support Syria’s economic and political stability.

The changes have opened more opportunities for international banks and companies to work with Syria, but they do not eliminate every restriction or financial risk.

Banks must still conduct identity checks, monitor suspicious transactions and ensure that payments do not involve individuals or organisations that remain sanctioned.

The real test begins after the cameras leave

Al-Sharaa’s coffee payment delivered a carefully timed message: Syria wants to be seen as open for business and ready to reconnect with the world.

But one successful transaction at a café does not rebuild a banking system.

The real measure of progress will be whether card services become affordable and accessible to ordinary Syrians—not only government officials, foreign visitors and large businesses.

Widespread electronic payments could reduce reliance on cash, improve business transparency, support tourism and make it easier for Syrian companies to participate in international trade.

That will require reliable electricity, secure telecommunications, properly regulated banks and public confidence in the financial system.

For now, the payment represents an important technical and symbolic milestone. Turning that single swipe into a dependable national payment network will be the much greater challenge.