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Mastercard is strengthening its foothold in the Middle East through strategic collaborations with Emirates NBD, a leading financial institution in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye) region, and Checkout.com in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These partnerships aim to enhance digital payment solutions, improve transaction efficiency, and bolster financial security across the region.
Emirates NBD Integrates Mastercard Gateway and AI-Powered Security
In a significant move, Emirates NBD has incorporated Mastercard Gateway into its Emirates NBD Pay platform. This integration enhances digital payment processing while positioning Emirates NBD as the first global acquiring bank to implement Mastercard’s Brighterion AI technology for advanced fraud detection and security.
According to Gina Petersen-Skyrme, Mastercard’s Country Manager for the UAE and Oman, “The integration of this cutting-edge platform will simplify payment processes for online merchants, enabling them to offer customers a faster, more secure, and seamless transaction experience.”
The Mastercard Gateway provides businesses with a streamlined payment processing infrastructure through a single global connection. Additionally, Brighterion AI strengthens transaction security by detecting and preventing fraudulent activities in real time, ensuring enhanced compliance with regulatory requirements.
Checkout.com Leverages Mastercard Move for Seamless Money Transfers
In another strategic development, Checkout.com has partnered with Mastercard Move, an innovative money movement solution enabling businesses and individuals in the UAE to transfer funds directly to Mastercard cards. This collaboration facilitates a range of transactions, including:
- Insurance disbursements
- Wallet cashouts
- Refunds
- Business and personal payments
Mete Guney, Executive Vice President of Commercial and New Payment Flows at Mastercard, emphasized the significance of this partnership: “Together, we will set a new benchmark for payment technologies in the region, enabling faster, more secure payment flows that meet the evolving needs of businesses and consumers.”
Mastercard’s Expansion and Market Growth
Mastercard’s latest initiatives align with its broader global growth strategy. In Q4 2024, the company reported:
- $2.6 trillion in gross dollar volumes (GDV), reflecting a 12% year-over-year increase
- A 6% rise in the number of Mastercard-issued cards, reaching 3.5 billion worldwide
- A 40% surge in Mastercard Move transactions
As digital payments continue to gain momentum in the Middle East, Mastercard’s partnerships with Emirates NBD and Checkout.com reinforce its commitment to financial innovation, regulatory compliance, and security-driven payment solutions in the region. These developments position Mastercard as a key player in shaping the future of digital transactions across the MENAT market.
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