- Mastercard Gateway is a global payment platform that offers protection from fraud and simplifies payment acceptance.
- The main forces behind this change are the speed, security, and ease of use provided by digital wallets and mobile money.
- Mobile money services like MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, and Kenya’s M-Pesa are becoming to become well-known brands.
Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services have entered a multi-year partnership to digitize payment acceptance across key markets in the Middle East and Africa.
The agreement includes Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, and the UAE.
Through the partnership, Amazon Payment Services will integrate Mastercard Gateway, a streamlined solution for payment processing, across 40 markets in the region.
This integration will allow merchants to provide faster, more secure transactions and various payment options for customers.
The collaboration comes as digital payments continue to rise in the region. Amazon Payment Services merchants, including Amazon online stores in the UAE and Egypt, are expected to benefit from the enhanced transaction speed and security.
The partnership will also explore synergies with sectors like telecommunications and government to improve checkout experiences.
According to the Mastercard Payment Industry Insights Index, 95 per cent of consumers in the Middle East and Africa are considering using emerging payment methods, such as wearables, biometrics, digital wallets, QR codes, and contactless payments.
Additionally, 61 percent of consumers would avoid businesses that do not accept electronic payments. At the same time, banks in the region that have migrated to digital channels have also seen the share of digital transactions increase from 70 per cent to 90per cent over approximately two years.
“We are proud to partner with Amazon Payment Services to scale payment acceptance and accelerate digitization of payments with innovative solutions,” said Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Mastercard.
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Mastercard Gateway
In addition to the Gateway integration, Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services have also agreed to develop new security and authentication services, such as Secure Card on File and Click to Pay, to enhance checkout experiences.
“Implementing Mastercard Gateway will empower us to expand our reach as a PSP and reduce the burden of integration,” said Peter George, Managing Director of Amazon Payment Services.
Mastercard Gateway is a global payment platform that offers protection from fraud and simplifies payment acceptance. It supports a variety of digital transactions and payment methods, making it easier for businesses to expand into new markets.
Amazon Payment Services currently supports over 4,000 merchants across the Middle East and North Africa, with services available in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Digital payments rapidly transform Africa’s financial landscape, driven by increasing smartphone penetration, growing internet access, and innovative fintech solutions.
Across the continent, businesses and consumers are adopting cashless payment methods, reshaping economies, and promoting financial inclusion.
In 2023, Africa experienced a significant surge in digital transactions. Mobile money services like MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, and Kenya’s M-Pesa are becoming well-known brands. Millions of unbanked people can now access financial services thanks to the.
The GSM Association reports that in 2022, there were more than 621 million active mobile money accounts in sub-Saharan Africa, indicating the region’s increasing acceptance of digital payments.
The main forces behind this change are the speed, security, and ease of use provided by digital wallets and mobile money.
Leading nations in this field are South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, where companies are progressively implementing mobile payment systems to connect with underprivileged groups.
For instance, more than 90 percent of adults in Kenya utilize mobile money services regularly, demonstrating the pervasiveness of digital payments in society.
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