Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services Join Forces to Enhance Digital Payment Solutions in Middle East and Africa

Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services have entered into a multi-year partnership aimed at advancing the digital payments ecosystem across several countries in the Middle East and Africa, including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, South Africa, and the UAE. This collaboration seeks to modernize payment acceptance for businesses, while simplifying the online shopping experience for consumers.

Central to the agreement is Amazon Payment Services’ adoption of Mastercard Gateway, a payment processing solution available in 40 markets across the region. This integration will enable businesses to offer fast, secure, and seamless transactions, supporting a wide range of payment methods. This partnership is expected to benefit a significant number of merchants, including Amazon’s own online stores, particularly in the UAE and Egypt, by providing customers with more convenient payment options.

The shift towards digital payments is evident across the Middle East and Africa, with increasing consumer demand for emerging payment methods. According to the Mastercard Payment Industry Insights Index, 95% of consumers in the region are considering using alternative payment methods such as wearables, biometrics, digital wallets, and QR codes. Additionally, 61% of consumers are inclined to avoid businesses that do not offer electronic payment options. Banks in the region have also witnessed a surge in digital transactions, with the share rising from 70% to 90% over the past two years, reflecting the accelerated shift to digital channels.

The partnership goes beyond payment processing, as the two companies will also collaborate on developing innovative solutions, such as Secure Card on File, Click to Pay, and token authentication services. These advancements aim to enhance security for both businesses and consumers, while also offering faster checkout experiences.

Peter George, Managing Director of Amazon Payment Services, highlighted that the integration of Mastercard Gateway will help expand the reach of Amazon Payment Services as a leading payment provider in the region. The solution connects to all major acquirers worldwide, allowing merchants to reduce the burden of integrating multiple payment systems, while offering a wide range of digital transaction options.

Mastercard Gateway is widely used across the financial sector in the region, offering businesses a single connection to accept payments globally. By eliminating the need for manual card and password entries, it enhances the overall user experience and protects transactions from fraud. This technology supports a variety of digital transactions, covering all major card brands and several non-card payment options.

Amazon Payment Services continues to play a significant role in enabling online payments in MENA, with over 4,000 merchants benefiting from its services. These services are available in key markets across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

The partnership between Mastercard and Amazon Payment Services signals a significant step towards shaping the future of online payments in the region, enabling businesses to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly digital world.