Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services have joined forces to revolutionise payment acceptance across the Middle East and Africa. This strategic partnership aims to digitise payments in key markets, including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, and the UAE.
At the heart of this collaboration is Mastercard Gateway, a comprehensive payment processing solution that will be integrated into Amazon Payment Services’ platform. This integration will enable merchants to offer their customers a seamless, secure, and convenient payment experience.
The partnership will directly benefit thousands of Amazon Payment Services merchants, including Amazon online stores in the UAE and Egypt. By adopting Mastercard Gateway, these merchants can streamline their payment operations and provide a wider range of payment options to their customers.
Beyond Amazon, this partnership also opens up new opportunities for collaboration with entities such as telcos and governments. By integrating Mastercard Gateway into their checkout processes, these organisations can enhance their payment offerings and deliver a faster and more secure transaction experience to their customers.
The need for digital payment solutions in the Middle East and Africa is undeniable. According to the Mastercard Payment Industry Insights Index, a significant majority of consumers in the region are open to adopting emerging payment methods like wearables, biometrics, digital wallets, QR codes, and contactless payments. Moreover, a large percentage of consumers are more likely to avoid businesses that do not accept electronic payments.
Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA, at Mastercard, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are proud to partner with Amazon Payment Services to scale payment acceptance and accelerate digitization of payments with innovative solutions.”
Peter George, Managing Director, Amazon Payment Services, Middle East & North Africa, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of collaboration and innovation. “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with Mastercard to deliver on our common goal of shaping the future of online payments in the region. Implementing Mastercard Gateway will empower us to expand our reach as a PSP and reduce the burden of integration, since the advanced technology solution is connected to all major acquirers around the world.”
This partnership between Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services marks a significant step forward in the digitisation of payments in the Middle East and Africa. By providing merchants and consumers with a more efficient and secure payment experience, this collaboration has the potential to drive economic growth and innovation in the region.
