PayPal Commits US$100 Million To Digital Commerce In MEA

In September, PayPal Holdings, the American financial technology company, announced a commitment of US$100 million to support the development of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa, with the aim of encouraging innovation, backing entrepreneurs, and expanding economic participation in the regions. The investment will be deployed through minority stakes, acquisitions, PayPal Ventures funding, and through regional talent and technology capabilities.  

Through the investments, PayPal intends to help local businesses scale, create opportunities for innovators, and extend access to the digital economy to more consumers and communities. 

In an interview with Inc. Arabia, Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager at PayPal Middle East and Africa (MEA), described the region as uniquely positioned for digital growth. “What sets the Middle East and Africa apart is the combination of scale, diversity, and velocity of change. This region has some of the youngest, most digital-native populations in the world, governments that are heavily invested in digitizing their economies, and entrepreneurs who are not just building for their own markets, but for global opportunity from day one,” he told us. 

For Williams, the region’s diversity and its potential to be a forerunner in global commerce are central to PayPal’s commitment. “This isn’t a region where one-size-fits-all solutions work. What succeeds in some areas, may not apply to others, and that diversity is exactly what makes MEA so important to PayPal. That’s why we’ve dedicated $100 million: not just to invest in growth here, but to learn from this region and shape solutions that can influence global commerce.” 

Indeed, PayPal’s strong belief in the region’s potential was central to its decision to open its first hub in Dubai in April of this year. The hub, which serves as an anchor for its operations across the Middle East and Africa, offers enterprises and small merchants alike access to payment services, security tools, and global markets. 

The new commitment also builds on PayPal Ventures’ earlier investments in regional startups such as Tabby, the UAE-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform; Paymob, an Egypt-based digital payments provider for merchants and SMEs; and Stitch, a South Africa-based company offering API-powered financial infrastructure for businesses. 

Williams explained that these companies share a crucial ingredient for global success and demonstrate why the region is becoming a hub for digital innovation. “The common thread among successful digital players in the region is that they build with local nuance and global ambition. PayPal Ventures backed Tabby, Paymob, and Stitch because those companies didn’t just copy global models; they designed solutions around the realities of their markets, whether that was how people prefer to pay, the regulatory frameworks, or the infrastructure constraints. Each of them [was] designed for scale and interoperability from the start, which is why they’re now attracting global partners and investors. That combination, deep local understanding and a global mindset, is what sets MEA innovators apart.” 

Building on that momentum, Williams said the new investment will concentrate on three core areas, with the first being SMEs and cross-border trade. “Small businesses are the backbone of MEA economies, but many still face barriers to reaching customers outside their borders. Digital payments are the bridge, and much of our investment will go into tools, partnerships, and infrastructure that make cross-border commerce seamless,” he explained. 

He went on to say that the gig and creator economies also represent a powerful opportunity. “Whether it’s a freelancer in one corner of the region or a content creator in another, the region is bursting with talent that’s under-served by traditional finance. Giving these communities reliable ways to receive income, withdraw locally, and transact globally is a big part of our focus.” 

The third priority, according to Williams, lies in solutions that facilitate everyday financial inclusion. “Partnerships with telcos and banks will help us ensure digital wallets and mobile money are connected to the global economy. The goal is that anyone, whether they are a small merchant or an individual user, has trusted, affordable access to PayPal’s global network.” 

For entrepreneurs hoping to overcome local challenges and scale internationally, Williams pointed to one factor as essential. “My single piece of advice is not to underestimate trust. Payments and commerce [are] ultimately about building and maintaining trust between a merchant and a customer. Entrepreneurs who invest early in building trust, through security, transparency, and reliability, are the ones who find it easiest to expand across borders.” 

He added that this is also the right moment to thoughtfully embrace artificial intelligence (AI). “Used responsibly, AI can help entrepreneurs personalize experiences, strengthen security, and streamline operations. All of these factors can reinforce that foundation of trust while enabling businesses to scale faster and more confidently on a global stage.” 

Pictured in the lead image is Otto Williams, Senior Vice President, Regional Head and General Manager at PayPal Middle East and Africa (MEA). Image courtesy PayPal.