Payment - WORLDEF

Shopify Payments Launched in the UAE: Global Payment Options Offered Through a Single Infrastructure

Shopify has launched its own payment infrastructure, Shopify Payments, in the United Arab Emirates under an early access programme. The new system enables eligible e-commerce businesses to manage payment and order processes directly through their store admin panel. While the service is currently available to selected merchants, businesses on the Advanced and Plus plans are among the groups eligible for access.

Shopify Payments Supports Visa, Mastercard and Shop Pay

With the infrastructure launched in the UAE, online stores can accept payments via Visa, Mastercard and Maestro credit or debit cards. Accelerated payment options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Shop Pay are also enabled automatically. The system can only be used for online sales; POS payments at physical retail locations require third-party payment processors and external card terminals. The platform also uses encryption and security methods such as fraud detection and 3D Secure to protect customer data.

A UAE Company and an IBAN Starting with AE Are Required

E-commerce businesses wishing to join the system must have a valid company registration number in the UAE. Supported business types include sole establishments, free zone sole establishments, LLCs and Free Zone LLC structures. The account receiving payments must be held with a UAE-based bank, denominated in AED and enabled for money transfers. The IBAN must begin with “AE.” Depending on the type of company, identity and business verification documents such as a trade licence, memorandum of association, proof of bank account, Emirates ID or passport may also be requested.

Payment Processes Are Managed Through the E-Commerce Panel

Shopify allows merchants to track payment transactions and order management through the same admin panel. In the UAE, the minimum payout settlement period is stated as five business days, while the minimum payout amount is AED 20. Eligible businesses can also benefit from multi-currency payouts in USD under certain conditions. (Shopify Payments)

Artificial Intelligence and Retail Tools Are Also Part of the Ecosystem

The company’s e-commerce infrastructure includes artificial intelligence-powered tools in addition to payment systems. While Shopify Magic uses artificial intelligence in processes such as product descriptions, email content, image generation and store management, Sidekick is offered as a commerce assistant that supports merchants with content creation and operational tasks.

With the new payment infrastructure in the UAE, Shopify has started offering online retail businesses card payments and accelerated payment options within its own e-commerce management system. Shopify Payments is still in the early access stage in the country and remains available only to eligible merchants. (Shopify Payments)

MRM MENAT Partners with Shopify for Middle East E-Commerce

Saudi Arabia-Based E-Commerce Platform Salla Acquires Paylink

Saudi Arabia-based e-commerce platform Salla has acquired Paylink, a fintech company that develops electronic payment solutions. The financial value of the deal was not disclosed. The acquisition was carried out as part of the company’s strategy to more comprehensively integrate its e-commerce infrastructure with payment and financial services. With the acquisition, the aim is to enable retail businesses to accept local and international payments across both digital and physical sales channels.

Salla Expands Its Payment Infrastructure with Paylink

Founded in 2017 by Ammar AlTwaijri and Abdulelah Alsayegh, Paylink is licensed by the Saudi Central Bank to provide e-commerce payment services and carries the “Saudi Tech” label. The company provides electronic payment solutions to entrepreneurs, SMEs, companies, and public institutions.

As part of the acquisition, Paylink’s payment infrastructure is planned to be integrated with Salla’s e-commerce ecosystem. This structure will cover payment acceptance and management across online and physical channels, as well as SoftPOS technologies, various payment methods, multi-currency support, and international collection options.

Serves More Than 65,000 Active Stores

Salla states that it serves more than 65,000 active subscription-based stores and that the sales volume generated through the platform has exceeded 45 billion Saudi riyals. In addition to online store setup, the platform offers payment, shipping, inventory management, and marketing tools within a single e-commerce ecosystem.

Salla Founder and CEO Nawaf Hariri stated that they view financial services as a natural extension of the company’s existing vision. Hariri said that with the capabilities provided by Paylink, they aim to develop smarter and more integrated payment solutions and enable merchants to receive payments from their customers at online or physical points of sale, both domestically and internationally.

E-Commerce Platform’s Acquisition Strategy Continues

The Paylink transaction represents a continuation of Salla’s strategy of bringing complementary technology companies into its organization. In 2025, the company acquired the digital advertising platform Sweply and integrated the service into its ecosystem under the name Salla Ads. This enabled merchants to manage and optimize their advertising campaigns directly through the platform.

Artificial Intelligence, Retail, and Financial Technologies in the Same Ecosystem

Within a structure where e-commerce platforms bring together retail operations such as payments, advertising, inventory, and marketing in one place, artificial intelligence-powered technologies are also among the technological components of the digital commerce ecosystem. With the Paylink acquisition, Salla’s stated focus is on expanding payment acceptance, financial services, physical points of sale, and cross-border collection capabilities.

Telr Enables Jaywan to Expand Payment Platform Capabilities for UAE Business

UAE-based payment gateway Telr has expanded its platform capabilities by enabling the country’s domestic card scheme, Jaywan, across its merchant network. The move reflects a broader push to strengthen local payment infrastructure while enhancing transaction efficiency for businesses operating in the UAE’s digital economy.

Jaywan, introduced by Al Etihad Payments under the Central Bank of the UAE, is designed as a nationally operated card payment system aimed at supporting financial inclusion and reducing reliance on international payment networks.

By integrating Jaywan into its platform, Telr enables merchants to accept domestic card payments seamlessly, providing a more localized and potentially cost-efficient transaction flow.

Strengthening Local Payment Infrastructure

The integration marks a notable step in the UAE’s ongoing effort to build a more self-sufficient financial ecosystem. Domestic payment schemes like Jaywan are intended to keep transaction processing within the country, improving speed, security, and data control while lowering associated costs.

For merchants, the addition of Jaywan expands payment acceptance options without requiring additional technical integration. Telr’s platform already supports a wide range of global payment methods, and the inclusion of a local scheme enhances flexibility for businesses targeting both domestic and international customers.

From a strategic standpoint, this development aligns with the UAE’s long-term digital transformation goals, where payments infrastructure plays a central role in enabling e-commerce growth.

Enhancing Merchant Efficiency and Customer Experience

The ability to process Jaywan transactions through a single platform simplifies operations for merchants. Instead of managing multiple payment systems, businesses can centralize their payment workflows within Telr’s infrastructure.

This consolidation offers several advantages, including:

Faster transaction processing
Reduced complexity in payment management
Improved checkout experience for customers

As consumer expectations around speed and convenience continue to rise, seamless payment experiences have become a critical factor in online conversion and retention.

A Shift Toward Localized Payment Strategies

The introduction of Jaywan into commercial platforms signals a broader shift toward localized payment strategies in the region. While global networks such as Visa and Mastercard remain dominant, domestic schemes are increasingly being positioned as complementary solutions that address specific market needs.

Jaywan’s development is part of a wider effort to create a resilient and competitive payments ecosystem, capable of supporting both local businesses and international trade. The scheme is expected to expand further as banks and financial institutions continue rolling out Jaywan-enabled cards across the UAE.

For payment providers like Telr, early adoption of such systems allows them to remain aligned with regulatory direction while offering merchants a more comprehensive payment stack.

Outlook

As digital commerce continues to scale across the UAE, the role of integrated payment platforms is becoming increasingly central. The combination of global payment access with locally developed solutions like Jaywan reflects an evolving model where flexibility, efficiency, and localization are key priorities.

Telr’s latest move highlights how payment platforms are adapting to these shifts, positioning themselves not only as transaction processors but as essential infrastructure supporting the next phase of business growth in the region.

Source

Tabby’s UAE Wallet Licence Unlocks 3 Major Fintech Growth Opportunities

Middle East fintech leader Tabby has taken a major step toward becoming a full-scale financial platform after securing a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE.

The licence allows Tabby to hold customer funds and offer a broader range of financial services, marking a strategic shift beyond its core Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) model.

A shift from BNPL to full financial ecosystem

With this approval, Tabby will introduce new products including spending accounts, payment cards, and money management tools.

This move signals a clear transformation: from a payments solution into a comprehensive financial super app. Users who already rely on Tabby for flexible payments will soon be able to manage daily financial activities from spending to transfers within a single platform.

The company’s CEO, Hosam Arab, emphasized that the licence enables Tabby to “serve customers beyond credit” and redefine how users interact with money in everyday life.

Strengthening regulatory position in the GCC

The UAE licence significantly strengthens Tabby’s regulatory footprint across the Gulf region.

The company already holds a BNPL licence in Saudi Arabia and has expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of a licensed digital wallet there.

Now, with direct regulatory approvals in both key markets, Tabby is positioned to build and deploy financial services independently across the GCC, rather than relying on third-party infrastructure.

Why this matters for fintech and e-commerce

Tabby currently serves millions of users and partners with over 65,000 brands globally, including major retail and e-commerce players.

This development reflects a broader industry trend:
BNPL providers are evolving into full-service financial platforms to deepen user engagement and unlock new revenue streams.

For the UAE and wider MENA region, it also highlights the growing maturity of the fintech ecosystem, where regulators are enabling innovation while maintaining strong oversight.

Outlook

With its new licence, Tabby is expected to accelerate product innovation and intensify competition in the region’s digital finance space.

As consumer demand shifts toward integrated financial experiences, Tabby’s transition into a multi-product platform could reshape how users manage money, not just how they pay.

Source

Nigeria’s Role in $216B Digital Economy Signals Positive Growth for West Africa

West Africa’s digital economy is rapidly expanding, now valued at an estimated $216 billion, with Nigeria emerging as the dominant force driving this growth. The development highlights the region’s increasing importance in the global digital landscape, as governments and regulators push for stronger coordination and innovation.

According to recent reports, Nigeria accounts for the largest share of digital activity in the region, supported by its population size, growing tech ecosystem, and expanding mobile connectivity. As the biggest economy in West Africa, the country continues to lead in areas such as fintech, e-commerce, and digital services, positioning itself as a regional hub for innovation.

This momentum is being reinforced by the efforts of the West Africa Telecommunications Regulators Assembly (WATRA), which is working to create a more unified and secure digital environment across its member states. Through regulatory alignment and collaboration, WATRA aims to unlock further growth potential and ensure that digital transformation benefits both businesses and consumers across the region.

Nigeria Leads West Africa’s Digital Economy Expansion

A key driver behind this growth is the rapid adoption of mobile technologies and digital financial services. Across West Africa, mobile connectivity continues to expand, enabling millions of users to access online platforms, digital payments, and e-commerce services. These technologies are not only improving financial inclusion but also creating new opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs.

Nigeria, in particular, has seen strong growth in fintech and digital platforms, attracting both local and international investment. The country’s digital ecosystem is increasingly supported by innovation hubs, government initiatives, and a young, tech-savvy population eager to engage with new technologies.

At the same time, regional cooperation is becoming more critical. WATRA’s recent initiatives focus on building a secure, inclusive, and resilient digital ecosystem, addressing key areas such as cybersecurity, 5G deployment, and infrastructure development. These efforts are essential for ensuring sustainable growth and reducing fragmentation across markets.

However, challenges remain. Regulatory differences, infrastructure gaps, and cybersecurity risks continue to pose barriers to full digital integration across West Africa. Addressing these issues will require ongoing collaboration between governments, regulators, and private sector stakeholders.

Looking ahead, the outlook remains highly positive. As digital technologies continue to evolve, West Africa is expected to play an increasingly important role in the global economy. With Nigeria leading the charge, the region’s $216 billion digital economy represents not just current growth, but a foundation for long-term transformation in commerce, finance, and connectivity.

Source

E-Commerce Faces Checkout Challenge as 3 Payment Options Drive 30% More Conversions

Checkout has become the most critical battleground in e-commerce, where even small friction points can determine whether a sale is completed or abandoned. New data shows that payment flexibility is now one of the strongest drivers of conversion.

According to research from ACI Worldwide, nearly 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts, contributing to an estimated $4 trillion in lost sales globally. The key issue is no longer pricing or shipping it is the lack of preferred payment options.

Retailers that rethink their payment strategy can significantly improve performance. Offering the right mix of payment methods rather than just one or two can increase conversion rates by up to 30%, highlighting how crucial payment choice has become in modern e-commerce.

E-Commerce Growth Is Now Driven by Flexible Payment Options

The shift is being driven by three key payment categories: digital wallets, account-to-account (A2A) payments, and alternative options such as Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). These methods reduce friction and align better with how consumers prefer to shop, especially on mobile devices.

Mobile commerce remains the weakest link in conversion performance despite generating 68% of total traffic. High friction at checkout particularly manual entry of payment details pushes abandonment rates as high as 85% on mobile.

Solutions such as one-click checkout, biometric authentication, and stored payment credentials are helping address this issue. Digital wallets, in particular, allow users to complete purchases instantly without entering card details, significantly improving user experience.

Consumer expectations are also evolving rapidly. In 2024, 61% of shoppers abandoned purchases because their preferred payment method was not available. Despite this, more than one in five e-commerce websites still offer only a single payment option a gap that directly impacts revenue.

Each additional relevant payment method can increase conversions by an average of 7%, meaning that a well-optimized combination of three options can deliver substantial cumulative gains.

Beyond convenience, trust is becoming a decisive factor. Bank-backed solutions like Paze are gaining traction by offering secure, tokenized transactions without requiring app downloads. This addresses growing concerns around security, with 82% of consumers trusting bank-based payment systems more than third-party providers.

For retailers, the message is clear: more payment options do not necessarily mean better outcomes but the right, localized mix does. Successful merchants are increasingly using data-driven strategies to tailor payment methods based on customer behavior, geography, and device usage.

As e-commerce continues to scale, payment infrastructure is also evolving. Cloud-based systems, intelligent routing, and AI-driven authentication are enabling businesses to deliver faster, more seamless checkout experiences while maintaining security and performance.

In this new landscape, payment is no longer just a backend function. It has become a strategic growth lever one that can directly influence conversion rates, customer trust, and long-term revenue.

Source: E-Commerce Times

Ubuy Launches Installment Shopping in Cross-Border E-Commerce with Tabby Partnership

Ubuy, the cross-border e-commerce platform operating in the Gulf region, has started offering the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) model to users in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia through a new integration with the payment technology company Tabby. The new payment option has been activated on both the Ubuy UAE and Ubuy Saudi Arabia platforms.

With this integration, users will be able to purchase millions of international products available on the platform with installment payment options. Under the model offered by Tabby, purchases can be split into up to four installments. While no interest or additional fees are applied in three-installment plans, a small transaction fee may apply for four-installment plans. The payment process also moves very quickly; after selecting the Tabby option on the payment page, users can receive instant approval and complete their purchases, while the remaining payments are automatically scheduled by the system.

BNPL Solutions Are Rapidly Expanding

In recent years, BNPL solutions have been rapidly expanding in the Gulf countries. The increasing preference of young and digitally focused consumers for flexible payment options is encouraging e-commerce platforms to invest more in alternative financing models. According to market research, the BNPL market in the Middle East and North Africa is expected to reach a value of billions of dollars in the coming years.

Ubuy Aims to Expand Its User Base in the Gulf Market

Dhari AlAbdulhadi, the founder and CTO of Ubuy, stated that customer experience is at the center of the company’s growth strategy, noting that the Tabby integration increases users’ financial flexibility and makes international shopping more accessible. The company aims to expand its user base in the Gulf market by combining global product access with regional payment solutions.

Operating across categories such as electronics, fashion, beauty, and home & living, Ubuy enables consumers to access products from different parts of the world quickly and easily through its cross-border e-commerce model with its wide product range.