logo
PayPal Launches First Middle East and Africa HQ in Dubai

PayPal Launches First Middle East and Africa HQ in Dubai

Hi Dubai24-04-2025
PayPal has officially opened its first regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa in Dubai, marking a major milestone in the company's global expansion.
The new hub, located in Dubai Internet City, reinforces PayPal's commitment to enhancing digital commerce in the region and enabling broader access to the global economy.
The move will give businesses—large and small—access to seamless payment solutions, advanced security, and international payment networks to help them scale across borders. The announcement was made during the Dubai AI Festival 2025 by Suzan Kereere, President of Global Markets at PayPal. 'PayPal is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between consumers and businesses for cross-border commerce,'
Kereere said. 'With over 430 million customers globally, we aim to empower businesses in the Middle East and Africa to reach new markets, while helping local consumers shop globally with confidence.'
Kereere also highlighted PayPal's focus on innovation, including AI-driven tools like smart wallets and agentic commerce. 'As AI reshapes how we shop and pay, we're building the next generation of shopping experiences,' she added.
Otto Williams, PayPal's SVP and General Manager for the region, emphasized the company's strategic collaborations with banks, fintechs, telecoms, and commerce players. 'With our new hub in Dubai, we're not only serving major enterprises but also equipping SMEs with the tools to compete and grow globally,'
he said.
The Dubai hub follows a wave of recent PayPal deals in the region and is expected to play a critical role in accelerating digital inclusion and economic growth across Middle East and Africa.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

UAE bank investments surge 16.2% to nearly $211bn in April 2025
UAE bank investments surge 16.2% to nearly $211bn in April 2025

Arabian Business

time2 days ago

  • Arabian Business

UAE bank investments surge 16.2% to nearly $211bn in April 2025

Banks operating in the UAE recorded investment levels of AED 774.3 billion by the end of April 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE). The figure represents a 16.2 per cent increase compared to April 2024 and a 1.4 per cent rise from March 2025, maintaining the sector's upward trajectory. UAE banking sector sees strong growth Banking indicators released by the CBUAE show investments in debt securities reached AED 352.4 billion by April's end, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM). Securities held to maturity totalled AED 345.8 billion during the same period. Banks allocated AED 19.3 billion to stocks and AED 56.8 billion to other investment instruments. Total bank credit exceeded AED 2.259 trillion, marking an annual growth of 9.5 per cent. Domestic credit comprised approximately AED 1.881 trillion of this total, whilst foreign credit accounted for AED 378.3 billion. Bank deposits surpassed AED 2.965 trillion, with resident deposits contributing AED 2.689 trillion and non-resident deposits reaching AED 275.6 billion. The breakdown by emirate shows Abu Dhabi banks led with investments of AED 408.9 billion, followed by Dubai at AED 296 billion. Other emirates recorded AED 69.5 billion in banking investments.

Etihad targets 21.5m passengers, 18 new aircraft
Etihad targets 21.5m passengers, 18 new aircraft

Gulf Today

time2 days ago

  • Gulf Today

Etihad targets 21.5m passengers, 18 new aircraft

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways, unveiled the airline's ambitious plans for 2025, aiming to carry approximately 21.5 million passengers by the end of the year, more than double the number recorded in 2022. Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Neves said the growth is underpinned by a major fleet expansion, with 18 new aircraft expected to be delivered before the year ends. Two aircraft have already joined the fleet, with 16 more scheduled for delivery in the coming months. Having transported more than 10 million passengers during the first half of the year, the airline is on track to close 2025 with a fleet of between 115 and 120 aircraft. Neves reviewed the airline's upward performance trajectory, noting that Etihad Airways reached financial break-even in 2022, achieved a profit margin of 3 per cent in 2023, and increased that to around 6 per cent last year. This year, profit margins are expected to range between 7 and 8 per cent. He said the company is following a strategy of 'gradually expanding margins each year' and is funding its growth through internal cash flows, contributing to sustainable financial performance. On its global network, which is approaching 100 destinations, the CEO explained that the airline's growth strategy is not limited to adding new routes, but also includes increasing frequencies on existing routes. Flights to destinations such as Frankfurt and Barcelona have doubled to twice daily, while Bangkok now receives five daily flights during peak periods. He noted that around two-thirds of the increased capacity is allocated to existing destinations, with only one-third targeting new routes, highlighting the airline's focus on strengthening its market position in established regions. Atlanta, for instance, launched with five weekly flights and now operates daily. New York, which had one daily flight 18 months ago, now operates two, and all western destinations are now served with daily flights. Neves confirmed that Etihad Airways' strategy through to 2030 focuses on strengthening its presence, particularly in markets within a four-hour flight radius, including India, Pakistan and the Middle East. The airline currently operates four daily flights to key destinations such as Colombo, Riyadh, Jeddah, Mumbai and Muscat, offering competitive flexibility in schedules that caters to diverse traveller segments. He added that the airline aims to offer at least two daily flights to all its destinations across Southeast Asia, Europe and the eastern United States. In a step to redefine regional travel, Neves revealed that Etihad will take delivery of its first A321 Long Range aircraft this week in Hamburg. This will be the first narrow-body aircraft in the fleet to feature a first-class cabin with fully flat luxury seats, which he described as 'the world's best travel experience on a narrow-body aircraft.' He affirmed that Zayed International Airport has the capacity to support this growth, with plans to grow the fleet to around 200 aircraft and serve between 38 and 39 million passengers by 2030, effectively doubling the company's size over the next five years. Neves praised the rapid development in Abu Dhabi, calling it an exceptional place to live and work. He noted that the capital's population is growing at an annual rate of 7 per cent - five to six times the global average - which is driving demand for travel and services. International events hosted by Abu Dhabi, including exhibitions and conferences, along with its expanding tourism and cultural sectors, are also contributing to increased travel demand to and from the capital. He said, 'We have doubled our flight capacity in Abu Dhabi in just two and a half years. This positions us as a major contributor to development, while also benefitting significantly from government investment in infrastructure and tourism.' In response to a question on aircraft delivery challenges, Neves explained that Etihad had anticipated delays from manufacturers and structured its operational plans accordingly by accelerating the induction of leased aircraft and reintroducing seven A380 aircraft into service. He concluded by stating that the airline is now more agile and better positioned to respond to market dynamics, as it continues advancing towards its vision of becoming the preferred airline for travellers by offering exceptional service, flexibility and smart expansion. Etihad Airways ambitious plans for 2025, aiming to carry approximately 21.5 million passengers by the end of the year, more than double the number recorded in 2022. WAM

PayPal World Unites Major Wallets for 2 Billion Users
PayPal World Unites Major Wallets for 2 Billion Users

Arabian Post

time2 days ago

  • Arabian Post

PayPal World Unites Major Wallets for 2 Billion Users

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai PayPal has unveiled PayPal World, a global payments network that links PayPal and Venmo with prominent domestic digital wallets—India's Unified Payments Interface, China's Tenpay Global, and Latin America's Mercado Pago—with the aim of serving nearly 2 billion users by late 2025. The announcement, made on 23 July 2025, positions PayPal World as the first truly interoperable cross-border payments ecosystem. Users will be able to send money and shop overseas using their familiar wallets, while merchants can receive payments from these networks without further integration. This ecosystem begins with the interoperability of PayPal and Venmo, progressing to UPI, Tenpay, and Mercado Pago. ADVERTISEMENT Alex Chriss, PayPal's president and CEO, described PayPal World as a 'first‑of‑its‑kind payments ecosystem' capable of simplifying intricate cross‑border transactions for 'nearly two billion consumers and businesses'. Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International Payments Ltd, affirmed that UPI's integration will expand its global reach and benefit Indian users by offering secure and seamless international payments. Wenhui Yang, Tenpay Global's CEO, added that the partnership would enable PayPal and Venmo customers to use Weixin Pay QR codes in China, while enabling deeper remittance collaboration. The platform is technologically built for scale, using open‑commerce APIs and cloud‑native architecture to ensure low latency and reliability across global regions. It promises 'device and technology‑agnostic' compatibility and is designed to embrace emerging commerce formats—including AI‑agent payments, dynamic payment buttons, and stablecoins over time. Competitors and analysts note that PayPal World addresses a longstanding fragmentation in international payments. By reducing dependency on credit cards, currency conversion, and complex onboarding, it offers a streamlined experience for consumers and merchants alike. However, successful execution will depend on regulatory compliance across jurisdictions and the ability to integrate smaller wallets and merchants beyond launch partners. Operationally, PayPal World will go live in autumn 2025 with PayPal and Venmo already interoperable. In 2026, Venmo users will be able to make purchases at millions of global merchants within the PayPal network—both online and in physical stores. For Indian users, the move is particularly significant. UPI, which represents around 85% of digital retail payments domestically, gains a pathway to the global market, including e‑commerce platforms abroad and in‑store payments when travelling internationally. The integration could substantially reduce costs tied to credit card surcharges and foreign exchange fees. Latin America's Mercado Pago, though not yet fully finalised, joins under a memorandum of understanding, reinforcing PayPal's focus on emerging-market inclusion. If implementation proceeds as outlined, PayPal World could reshape cross‑border commerce by integrating regional payment infrastructures into a unified global network. Its potential success will hinge on seamless interoperability, robust regulatory alignment, and continued onboarding of diverse payment ecosystems.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store