A leading payments industry news source for more than 17 years. Glenbrook curates the news and keeps you abreast of the important daily headlines in payments.
Search Payments News
March 3, 2025
On the web
What’s Behind the Middle East’s Boom in Digital Payments?
World Economic Forum
November 11, 2024
Top Post
Mastercard and Emirates NBD Partner to Empower a Virtual Future for B2B Travel Payments
Mastercard
October 29, 2024
On the wires
Network International Signs Strategic Partnership With Ant International to Provide New Payment Solutions to Businesses in MEA, Driving Financial Inclusion
Business Wire
September 19, 2024
On the web
Puma Chooses Payrails to Enhance Online Payments in MENA
IBS Intelligence
September 3, 2024
On the wires
Tarabut Acquires UK Payments Platform Vyne Ahead of New MENA Regulatory Requirements
Business Wire
July 8, 2024
On the web
NPCI International Partners With Network International to Enable UPI QR Payment Acceptance Across Its Merchants in the UAE
NPCI
June 18, 2024
On the web
Central Bank Digital Currencies Can Boost Middle East's Financial Inclusion, Payment Efficiency
IMF
June 12, 2024
On the web
XTransfer and Banking Circle Announce Strategic Partnership
Banking Circle
May 7, 2024
On the wires
Emirates NBD and NIUM Join Forces to Transform Global Cross-Border Payments in the Middle East
PR Newswire
May 6, 2024
On the web
China’s Ant Group Doubles Down on Global Expansion With Cross-Border Payments Offering Alipay+
CNBC
April 1, 2024
On the wires
ACI Worldwide and Arab Financial Services To Drive Payments Modernization for Banks and Merchants in the Middle East
Business Wire
October 17, 2023
On the web
MENA Must End Screen Scraping to Protect Consumers
Arabian Business
October 5, 2023
On the web
Iraq to End All Dollar Cash Withdrawals by Jan. 1, 2024, Central-Bank Official Says
Reuters
September 26, 2023
On the web
Bank ABC Introduces JPM Coin Payments in Bahrain
Zawya
May 11, 2023
On the web
Bango, TPAY, and Etisalat Egypt Launch Direct Carrier Billing with Google To Enable IN-APP Purchases and Subscriptions for over 30 million Subscribers
GlobeNewswire News Room
May 28, 2021
On the web
Buy Now, Pay Later Players Tackle Credit Conundrum in Mideast’s Gulf
Reuters
“Financial technology start-ups in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates offering online short-term credit say they are enjoying exponential growth as the coronavirus pandemic drives a shift in consumer spending online. Digital buy now, pay later (BNPL) purchasing is relatively new to the region where consumers have traditionally been sceptical of paying for goods before getting them. But Saudi Arabian-based Tamara and UAE’s Spotii, Tabby and Postpay all say the take-up has far exceeded initial expectations.”
May 24, 2021
On the wires
Mastercard Welcomes NEC Payments As a Global Partner of Fintech Express | Middle East/Africa Hub
“Mastercard has announced that the Bahrain-based NEC Payments is now a global partner of Mastercard Fintech Express, which connects tech-savvy startups with traditional players such as banks. The program supports digital payment innovators by making it simple to collaborate with the tech company and its partners to launch new products, add payment solutions and innovate through collaboration. The partnership will enable other fintech players to start their Mastercard issuing business at speed, unlocking more opportunities for the entire ecosystem. NEC Payments is the first Fintech Express partner globally, bringing new scale to the possibilities and potential for start-ups.”
May 19, 2021
On the wires
Arab Financial Services and Discover Sign Network Alliance Agreement
“Arab Financial Services (AFS), the leading digital payment solutions provider and fintech enabler in the Middle East and Africa, and Discover, a digital banking and payments services company, have signed a strategic network alliance agreement that will increase the global acceptance footprint for both organizations. The agreement will initially give Discover, Diners Club International and network alliance cardholders the ability to use their card on AFS Android-based point-of-sale (POS) terminals across the Kingdom of Bahrain. All AFS POS terminals are enabled for contactless debit and credit card payments.”
April 6, 2021
On the web
Fintech Start-up Stripe Enters the Middle East With UAE Launch
CNBC
“One of Silicon Valley’s most valuable private fintech companies has chosen Dubai for its first expansion into the Middle East and North Africa. Online payments company Stripe is expanding into the Middle East, just weeks after its latest funding round, which pushed the company’s value to $95 billion , making it one of the most valuable private fintech firms in the world.”
December 15, 2020
On the wires
PAYFORT is now Amazon Payment Services
“Today marks a key milestone in Amazon’s promise to customers and businesses across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. I’m proud to announce that PAYFORT is now Amazon Payment Services – a highly secure online payment service that is easy-to-use and seamlessly integrable.”
August 11, 2020
On the wires
Mastercard Enables Small Businesses to Tap into the Booming Digital Economy
“Mastercard has launched a new low-cost payments solution that enables small business owners to move their businesses online and accept a range of digital payments from their customers. The “SME-in-a-Box” solution is powered by Mastercard’s payment technology and that of its fintech partners, including payments and agency banking solutions company SmartPesa, a Mastercard StartPath partner. The solution will aid small and micro merchants across the region in expanding their customer base via digital platforms and enable sustainable revenue growth.”
July 1, 2020
On the wires
Careem Partners With Visa to Accelerate Digital Payments Across the Region
“We’re always looking for ways to simplify and improve the lives of more people across the region. And today is a big one…We’ve partnered with Visa, the world’s leader in digital payments, to expand access to digital payments in the Middle East. By integrating Visa credentials into the Careem Pay Wallet , we’re able to help our Careem Captains overcome all the difficulties that come with cash. Our Captains will be able to access their earnings from daily trips in real-time as opposed to any time lags. They will also be able to use low-cost remittance solutions to send money back to their families.”
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