Mastercard has teamed up with Scale, an issuer orchestration partner, to expedite market deployment for fintech companies across Africa and the Middle East. This collaboration aims to eliminate key technical and commercial barriers that fintechs, payment service providers (PSPs), telcos, and other ecosystem players face when launching payment programs, allowing them to focus on core business activities and efficiently introduce new products and services.
Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Mastercard for EEMEA, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “We are committed to driving innovative payment solutions across the region, bridging the digital gap, enhancing financial inclusion, and improving access to financial services. With Scale’s deep understanding of the fintech landscape, they are the ideal partner to help us achieve these goals.”
The partnership will provide fintech companies with support in securing BIN sponsorships, designing and commercializing payment programs, and delivering top-tier customer experiences. Mastercard and Scale will also work together to create inclusive value propositions that are sustainable and poised for long-term growth.
Additionally, the collaboration will evolve into a technology proposition, enabling tech companies to acquire Mastercard issuing capabilities through Scale. Scale’s CEO, Miranda Perumal, highlighted the benefits, stating, “Our partnership with Mastercard addresses a major pain point for fintechs by providing a single point of contact and streamlining processes, allowing fintech players to focus on their core business while we handle the complexities.”
The partnership offers numerous advantages for financial institutions, merchants, governments, and consumers alike. Financial institutions will benefit from facilitated collaborations in the card value chain, while merchants will gain easy access to digital financial products that support business growth. Governments will see reduced cash transactions and increased economic participation, contributing to GDP growth. Consumers will enjoy a wider range of financial products and services tailored to their needs.
