Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services have entered into a multi-year commercial partnership to enhance digital payment acceptance across key markets in the Middle East and Africa, including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, and the UAE.
“We are excited to collaborate with Amazon Payment Services to drive the expansion of digital payment solutions with innovative technologies,” stated Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA, Mastercard.
As part of the agreement, Amazon Payment Services, a leading payment service provider (PSP), will implement Mastercard Gateway – a streamlined payment processing platform – across 40 markets in the region. This integration will provide merchants with the ability to offer fast, seamless, and secure transactions, along with various convenient payment options for their customers.
The partnership aims to capitalize on the rapid growth in digital payments, benefiting thousands of Amazon Payment Services merchants, including Amazon’s own online stores serving shoppers in the UAE and Egypt. Additionally, the collaboration will create opportunities for partnerships with telecom companies and governments, enhancing their payment solutions and delivering faster, more secure transactions.
According to the Mastercard Payment Industry Insights Index, 95% of consumers in the Middle East and Africa are open to using new payment methods, such as wearables, biometrics, digital wallets, QR codes, and contactless payments. Furthermore, 61% of consumers would avoid businesses that do not offer electronic payment options. Regional banks that have transitioned to digital channels have also experienced a surge in digital transactions, with an increase from 70% to 90% over the past two years.
The partnership also includes an innovation agreement to introduce advanced services such as Secure Card on File, Click to Pay, and token authentication, offering multi-rail checkout options for merchants and delivering faster, more convenient checkout experiences for customers.
Peter George, Managing Director of Amazon Payment Services, Middle East & North Africa, commented: “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Mastercard to help shape the future of online payments in the region. By adopting Mastercard Gateway, we will be able to extend our PSP capabilities and simplify the integration process, thanks to its connectivity with major acquirers worldwide.”
Mastercard Gateway is a trusted global solution that enables merchants to accept payments across various markets while safeguarding against risks and fraud. It supports frictionless digital checkouts, eliminating the need for manual card and password entry for online shoppers. The gateway is one of the largest in the region and is widely used by financial institutions, allowing merchants to process a wide range of digital transactions, including payments from leading card brands and alternative non-card payment options.
Amazon Payment Services continues to support online payments in the Middle East and North Africa, working with over 4,000 merchants across the region. The company’s services are available to businesses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
