Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Mastercard extended its digital identity partnership with Smile ID in Africa to scale secure onboarding and fraud prevention, while also signing an MoU with the Central Bank of Syria to develop a national payments ecosystem. These initiatives aim to expand financial inclusion, enhance compliance, and build digital infrastructure in emerging markets.
HyperPay signed MoUs with Mastercard and Mozn to drive digital payments innovation and fraud prevention in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The partnerships will empower SMEs with secure, scalable solutions and support the region’s fintech growth under Saudi Vision 2030.
Mastercard has partnered with Dubai-based fintech Qlub to advance digital dining payments across the GCC. The deal includes a minority investment and processing through Mastercard Gateway, combining secure global infrastructure with Qlub’s QR-based dining solutions. The partnership aims to scale seamless, contactless hospitality payments regionally and beyond.
Mastercard has teamed up with Jordan’s Zain Cash to expand digital payments, launch SME-focused solutions, and establish an Innovation Hub for new technologies. The partnership leverages Zain Cash’s prepaid market leadership and Mastercard’s global network to accelerate financial inclusion and transaction growth in Jordan.
Zain Cash and Mastercard are partnering to expand digital payments in Jordan, including prepaid, credit, and SME solutions. The deal introduces an Innovation Hub to co-create services, advancing financial inclusion and supporting Jordan’s digital transformation while reinforcing Zain Cash’s leadership in fintech innovation.
Whish Money has partnered with Mastercard to enable fast, secure remittances to and from Lebanon. Users can now send money to 50+ countries through the Whish Money app, benefiting from Mastercard Move’s global reach. The initiative strengthens financial inclusion in Lebanon, where remittances remain a critical lifeline.
Mastercard and Zand are partnering to provide faster, more secure, and transparent cross-border payments in the UAE, offering real-time tracking and reduced friction for retail and corporate clients, and capitalizing on the country’s growing role as a global financial hub.
Mastercard’s Africa AI whitepaper shows how responsible AI adoption could add billions to the economy, create 230 million jobs by 2030, and expand financial inclusion. It highlights opportunities in key countries but warns of risks from regulatory gaps and data challenges.
EazyPay and Mastercard launched Mastercard Receivables Manager in Bahrain, automating B2B virtual card payments to improve efficiency and cash flow. The platform requires minimal integration and reinforces Bahrain’s role as a fintech innovation hub in the growing global digital payments market.
Mastercard and Jordan Islamic Bank have partnered to expand Shari’ah-compliant digital payment solutions in Jordan. The collaboration will enhance JIB’s card offerings with Mastercard’s advanced payment technologies, focusing on secure, accessible, and value-driven services that align with Islamic banking principles.