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Mastercard has joined forces with Scale, an issuer orchestration partner, to speed up the rollout of fintech solutions across Africa and the Middle East. This partnership is designed to help fintech companies, payment service providers, and telcos overcome the technical and commercial challenges they often face when launching payment programs.

Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Mastercard, emphasized the company’s dedication to working with local partners to drive innovation in payment solutions. She highlighted that this collaboration with Scale, known for its deep understanding of the fintech landscape, will help bridge the digital divide, enhance financial inclusion, and improve access to financial services across the region.

Through this partnership, Mastercard and Scale will assist fintech companies and other players in the ecosystem by securing BIN sponsorships, building sustainable business models, designing and launching payment programs, and delivering a top-notch customer experience. Together, they aim to co-create inclusive financial solutions that are geared for long-term success.This collaboration will also evolve into a technological platform that allows any tech company to gain Mastercard issuing capabilities through Scale.

Miranda Perumal, Co-Founder and CEO of Scale, noted that “Fintech companies move at speed and require commercially viable collaborations with experienced companies that cater to a cost-sensitive market. Through our exciting partnership with Mastercard, we are solving a major pain point and providing a single point of contact while absorbing the complexities of seeking a bank BIN sponsor, third-party processor and other payment solution providers. This combined ecosystem service allows fintech players to focus on their core business, and us to focus on ours – streamlining processes, enabling payments and supporting the program’s growth to earn revenues faster.”

Mastercard will integrate its managed services into partners’ systems, overseeing the entire card program implementation. Post-launch, Scale will support partners in growing their portfolios, driving revenues, and achieving profitability by understanding consumer behavior and market trends.

This partnership offers significant benefits not only to fintech companies but also to a broad range of players across the financial ecosystem. Financial institutions will find it easier to collaborate with other stakeholders, while merchants will gain access to digital financial products and services that can help grow their businesses. For governments, the availability of these new financial offerings will reduce reliance on cash, fostering broader economic participation and contributing to GDP growth.

For governments, the expansion of these financial services will play a critical role in reducing reliance on cash transactions, thereby increasing economic participation and contributing to overall GDP growth. The partnership between Mastercard and Scale promises to bring about a more inclusive financial landscape, driving long-term growth and development across Africa and the Middle East.

As fintech continues to gain momentum in the region, this partnership comes at a crucial time. With the backing of Mastercard’s extensive resources and Scale’s specialized expertise, fintech companies will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of market entry and growth.

This collaboration is poised to accelerate the adoption of digital financial solutions, bringing the benefits of fintech to more people and businesses across Africa and the Middle East. The future of fintech in the region looks promising, with Mastercard and Scale leading the charge toward greater financial inclusion and economic empowerment.