PayPal Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PYPL) has announced a $100 million investment across the Middle East and Africa to accelerate digital commerce and support the region’s fast-growing online economy.
The multi-year commitment, revealed from Dubai, will focus on technologies, partnerships, and solutions that help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and expand internationally.
Backing entrepreneurs and innovation
“The Middle East and Africa are home to some of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving businesses in the world,” said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal. “By dedicating a $100 million investment to this region, we are investing in the technologies, partnerships, and solutions that will help entrepreneurs scale faster, expand their reach beyond borders, and unlock new opportunities for growth in the digital economy.”
PayPal plans to deploy the funds through a mix of minority investments, acquisitions, PayPal Ventures funding, and technology expansion. The investment will also support local innovators and bring more consumers into the digital marketplace.
Building on regional momentum
This announcement follows PayPal’s April launch of its first regional hub in Dubai, which serves as a gateway for delivering secure payments and global commerce tools to businesses of all sizes.
The new commitment builds on PayPal Ventures’ existing investments in regional startups, including buy-now-pay-later provider Tabby, Egyptian payments company Paymob, and South African fintech Stitch.
Strengthening global connections
“This commitment underscores our dedication to expanding PayPal’s presence in the Middle East and Africa and our focus is to build stronger connections between local businesses and the global marketplace,” said Otto Williams, Senior Vice President and Regional Head of PayPal Middle East and Africa.
The $100 million pledge marks PayPal’s largest single regional investment outside its core U.S. and European markets.
