[Middle East] Mastercard and LiaPay partner to offer GCC payroll cards

In the Middle East, Mastercard has partnered with LiaPay, a payroll and financial services app operated by fintech company Liabify, to issue prepaid cards to salaried employees across four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. 

Through the partnership, workers will gain access to earned wages and digital payment services via Mastercard's global payment network.

The partnership reportedly combines LiaPay's payroll-embedded earned wage access (EWA) and employee wallet solutions with Mastercard's payment technology. Aligned with local Wage Protection Systems (WPS) and supported by regulated financial institutions, the service allows employees to access wages they have already earned before payday without relying on traditional credit.

According to the partners, employees will receive Mastercard Platinum prepaid cards linked to the LiaPay app. The cards will enable purchases in physical stores and online, as well as cross-border remittances, with authentication and fraud protection features.

Muhammad Nana - Senior Vice President, Digital Partnerships, EEMEA at Mastercard - said, "At Mastercard, we are committed to connecting people to the digital economy to unlock growth. LiaPay is a remarkable home-grown Gulf success story solving a real need for the region’s workforce. We are delighted to bring our global network, technology and expertise behind the fintech innovator’s vision, strengthening financial security and advancing financial inclusion across the GCC. The collaboration marks our entry into the payroll/EWA segment as the card partner of choice."

Dr Allan Villegas - Co-founder and CEO of Liabify - said, "When we built LiaPay, our mission was simple: every worker in the Gulf deserves dignified, instant access to the money they have already earned. Joining forces with Mastercard – one of the most trusted names in the world – is a proud milestone for our team and a powerful signal for the region’s fintech landscape. Together, we are turning payday into everyday financial freedom for millions of employees across the region."

The initial rollout will be in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, followed by expansion into Saudi Arabia and Oman. The model is reportedly designed to scale across the GCC and other emerging markets.

Source: Africa Business Communities

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the Middle East, Mastercard has partnered with LiaPay, a payroll and financial services app operated by fintech company Liabify, to issue prepaid cards to salaried employees across four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. 

Through the partnership, workers will gain access to earned wages and digital payment services via Mastercard's global payment network.

The partnership reportedly combines LiaPay's payroll-embedded earned wage access (EWA) and employee wallet solutions with Mastercard's payment technology. Aligned with local Wage Protection Systems (WPS) and supported by regulated financial institutions, the service allows employees to access wages they have already earned before payday without relying on traditional credit.

According to the partners, employees will receive Mastercard Platinum prepaid cards linked to the LiaPay app. The cards will enable purchases in physical stores and online, as well as cross-border remittances, with authentication and fraud protection features.

Muhammad Nana - Senior Vice President, Digital Partnerships, EEMEA at Mastercard - said, "At Mastercard, we are committed to connecting people to the digital economy to unlock growth. LiaPay is a remarkable home-grown Gulf success story solving a real need for the region’s workforce. We are delighted to bring our global network, technology and expertise behind the fintech innovator’s vision, strengthening financial security and advancing financial inclusion across the GCC. The collaboration marks our entry into the payroll/EWA segment as the card partner of choice."

Dr Allan Villegas - Co-founder and CEO of Liabify - said, "When we built LiaPay, our mission was simple: every worker in the Gulf deserves dignified, instant access to the money they have already earned. Joining forces with Mastercard – one of the most trusted names in the world – is a proud milestone for our team and a powerful signal for the region’s fintech landscape. Together, we are turning payday into everyday financial freedom for millions of employees across the region."

The initial rollout will be in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, followed by expansion into Saudi Arabia and Oman. The model is reportedly designed to scale across the GCC and other emerging markets.

Source: Africa Business Communities

(Quotes via original reporting)