by PayPal Holdings, Inc. has announced a bold new investment of $100 million aimed at boosting digital growth throughout the Middle East and Africa (MEA). This significant pledge seeks to fuel innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and drive inclusive economic growth in one of the fastest-growing digital commerce regions worldwide.
A Powerful Commitment to Boosting Digital Growth
The $100 million investment is dedicated to supporting the region’s dynamic businesses. PayPal aims to accelerate digital commerce by backing technologies, partnerships, and solutions that help entrepreneurs scale their ventures quickly. The focus is on expanding these businesses beyond local borders and unlocking new opportunities in the digital economy.
Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal, said,
“The Middle East and Africa are home to some of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving businesses in the world. By dedicating this investment, we are committing to boost digital growth and help the region’s entrepreneurs scale faster and innovate farther.”
This pledge represents PayPal’s largest single regional investment outside its core markets in the US and Europe, underscoring the importance of MEA in the global digital landscape
Building on Local Successes: PayPal Ventures
PayPal’s $100 million commitment builds on its existing investments through PayPal Ventures in some of the region’s most promising startups. These include Tabby, a buy-now-pay-later platform based in the UAE; Paymob, a leading payment processor in Egypt; and Stitch, a South African fintech innovator.
These investments highlight PayPal’s long-term role as a partner in shaping the future of digital commerce in MEA. PayPal Ventures focuses on supporting startups that are driving financial inclusion and innovating payment infrastructure to boost digital growth widely. This strategic support enables local businesses to reach new markets and improve their payment ecosystems.
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Strengthening Digital Infrastructure and Financial Inclusion
A major part of PayPal’s investment aims to enhance the digital payment infrastructure across the MEA. The company plans to support digital wallets, payment rails, and secure financial services, building the backbone for an inclusive digital economy.
With millions of people in the region still unbanked or underbanked, PayPal’s initiative comes at a crucial time. The rise of mobile money, e-commerce adoption, and digital banking growth calls for robust payment systems that are both safe and accessible.
PayPal’s investment will foster collaboration with fintechs, banks, and governments to promote the adoption of cashless payments, widen financial access, and bring millions more consumers and businesses into the digital economy. This is about boosting digital growth, not just for large players, but also for underserved communities and small businesses.
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Empowering Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital to the economic fabric of the Middle East and Africa. PayPal understands this and has tailored its investment to provide SMEs with digital tools that simplify online payments and access to global markets.
The funding will also streamline cross-border transactions, enabling local businesses to expand their sales beyond their geographic limits. PayPal believes entrepreneurs in these regions possess incredible creativity and resilience. Their objective is to equip them with modern digital payment solutions to help scale their ventures, reach a wider consumer base, and boost digital growth across the MEA region.
Otto Williams, Senior Vice President and Regional Head of PayPal Middle East and Africa, emphasized,
“We want to ensure millions of consumers and businesses can access more digital services needed to thrive in a transforming economy”.
The Strategic Hub in Dubai
PayPal’s regional presence in MEA was strengthened earlier this year with the launch of its first hub in Dubai. This regional base is designed as a gateway to global commerce capabilities. It offers merchants—from large enterprises to small retailers—frictionless payments, robust security, and easier access to international markets.
The Dubai hub enables PayPal to deploy technology, personnel, and support more effectively throughout the Middle East and Africa. This new $100 million funding will amplify efforts from the Dubai hub, creating new opportunities for local innovators and entrepreneurs.
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Long-Term Vision for Inclusive Economic Growth
PayPal’s pledge goes beyond immediate investments. It reflects a strategic, long-term commitment to the MEA region. The company is positioning itself as a key player in boosting digital growth by nurturing ecosystems and enabling digital commerce innovation.
This is vital for advancing a more inclusive economy where both consumers and businesses benefit from global digital opportunities. PayPal is demonstrating its confidence in the potential of the Middle East and Africa as a key driver of digital commerce growth in the years to come.
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About PayPal
PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) is a global payments leader with presence in around 200 markets worldwide. The company offers digital and mobile payment solutions that enable individuals and businesses to connect and transact securely across borders. Its services empower merchants to grow their businesses and consumers to shop with confidence, supporting the ongoing digital transformation of commerce on a global scale.
