Perspectives

Stories from around the world of Mastercard

Discover how our people and technology are connecting everyone to Priceless possibilities.

Inclusion
Supporting rescue and recovery efforts in flood-stricken Libya

Following the unprecedented rainfall in Libya on September 10th that caused the collapse of two major dams, Mastercard will donate $200,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to strengthen Libyan Red Crescent’s first aid response.

Inclusion
Mapping hope: How data is helping Ukrainian refugees find new homes in welcoming communities in Poland

Anonymized spending trends and other data helps refugees pinpoint smaller communities where they could thrive after the upheaval of war.

Inclusion
In Mozambique, a virtual assistant powered by data analytics is driving opportunities for informal workers

Three social impact and tech organizations joined forces to power data insights that can boost the economic resilience of these vulnerable entrepreneurs.

Inclusion
Lending a helping hand to Morocco

We have worked with our corporate security team and people and capabilities team to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees and their families and will continue to support them during this difficult time.

Inclusion
Leading the digital payments evolution in Ukraine

In Ukraine, digital payments have become mainstream with 60% of payments with Mastercard cards being made digitally today, a testament to the country's innovative spirit. This trend is not new, and it has been evolving considerably.

Innovation
From high-profile collabs to cutting-edge tech, how LeriQ is lifting up Nigerian music

Releasing music as NFTs could help bring more African creativity to a global audience, he says.

Inclusion
Fast-tracking the digital transformation of the payments sector in Ethiopia

To accelerate Ethiopia’s digital transformation, we at Mastercard partnered with EthSwitch, Ethiopia’s national payment switch, to enable financial institutions across the country to boost the adoption of digital payments

Inclusion
Leading the way in digital and financial inclusion in Africa

As part of its pledge to connect one billion people worldwide to the digital economy by 2025, Mastercard is building partnerships with public and private sector entities as well as NGOs to develop, incubate and scale locally relevant digital solutions.

Innovation
Formalizing MSMEs: The role of digital payments

Shehryar Ali, Country Manager for East Africa participates in a panel session with NTV Kenya which was centered around the challenges and opportunities faced by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Innovation
Trends shaping the payments landscape

Gaurang Shah, executive vice president of Product and Engineering, EEMEA, Mastercard spoke with CNBC Africa on the future of payments, the evolving economy, and the transformative impact of innovations on commerce.

Trust
Unlocking Africa's potential

Mark Elliott, Division President, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mastercard recently sat down with CNBC Africa to discuss Mastercard's strategic approach in harnessing Africa's immense potential.

Inclusion
From cash to digital

Gabriel Swanepoel, country manager, Southern Africa, Mastercard, speaks to CNBC Africa about the recently launched ‘Informal Economy’

Inclusion
How an IoT startup is tackling single-use plastic, one load of laundry at a time

Novek’s IoT-enabled vending machines help kiosk owners in Kenya sell washing powder in the quantities its shoppers can afford, without excess plastic packaging.

Inclusion
Inspiring the next generation of female leaders to pursue STEM careers

Mastercard and WIRED Middle East recently joined forces to celebrate women in the tech industry and inspire the next generation of female leaders.

Inclusion
Moving South Africa’s informal economy away from cash

As the digital economy becomes a more connected place where commerce thrives, it’s essential that everyone has access to it. We at Mastercard are passionate about driving financial inclusion in locally relevant ways.

Inclusion
Mastercard ‘Her Voice’ returns for its second season

As part of our commitment to empower female entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, we have launched the second season of our award-winning podcast series ‘Her Voice’.  

Inclusion
Boosting payment solutions for tech-enabled companies in Kenya

Mastercard signed a strategic agreement with Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) that will allow tech-enabled companies to issue their own payment cards through the bank using Mastercard’s technology.

Innovation
Connecting the Ramadan spirit of giving to a partnership for good

A campaign in the U.A.E. and Egypt will deliver two million meals to hungry schoolchildren through the World Food Programme with support from Amazon.

Inclusion
Transforming Saudi Arabia's esports and gaming landscape

Mastercard is leveraging its partnerships and technology to make in-game payments easier, curate more immersive experiences, deliver fan-first touchpoints, and stage unforgettable moments for gamers to enjoy.

Inclusion
Age, income, and education drive online retail in South Africa

The Online Retail in South Africa 2023 report, released by World Wide Worx in conjunction with Mastercard, showed that online shopping shot up from 27% of adult South Africans in 2020 to 38% in 2022.

Inclusion
Driving fintech adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa

The world thrives when fintech companies have access to the technology they need to democratize finances. Through partnerships, we can close the digital divide, co-create solutions, and innovate for real impact to accelerate the shift to a cashless economy.

Inclusion
Inspiring Saudi girls to pursue STEM education

To date, over 3.5 million girls in 60 countries have benefited from the inquiry-based educational program that is available in 20 languages, including Arabic. Mastercard is halfway to achieving its goal of reaching 5 million girls globally by 2025.

Innovation
Spearheading an ambitious digital future across 16 markets

Mastercard entered a strategic partnership with e&, a UAE-based technology and investment group that is undergoing a major transformation. The collaboration will enable consumers and businesses in 16 markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa

Lasting legacy: Honoring 25 visionaries to celebrate 25 Years of Priceless

As Mastercard celebrates twenty-five years of “Priceless”, we are proud to showcase twenty-five women leaders from around the world who are making a difference on a global scale.

Inclusion
How a daughter is making her mother’s passion for education live on

For 31 years, Imelda Ngunzu’s mother taught at a rural Kenyan school that didn’t even have power. Today it has a library and digital lab built in memory of her late mother.

Inclusion
Connecting people to their passion for fine wine and philanthropy

The Cape Wine Auction, one of the world’s most renowned charity wine auctions, opened its doors to wine connoisseurs and philanthropists from across the globe for the 10th time. The event unites the industry around the common goal of raising money for education.

Inclusion
Helping Nigerian SMEs fight cybercrime

The Mastercard Trust Center helps SMEs to defend their critical assets, business, and reputation by providing online access to cybersecurity research, curated education, resources, and tools from Mastercard and trusted external sources.

Inclusion
A year of war in Ukraine: Finding hope through innovation and the power of human spirit

In the darkest of times, ordinary people have become everyday heroes, and government and businesses have formed powerful partnerships to mobilize resources to keep the economy going.

Innovation
Accelerating digital payments through Jordan’s first transit payment ecosystem

Mastercard has partnered with the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and Network International to roll out the first transit payment ecosystem in its capital city Amman

Innovation
Empowering SMEs to fuel the UAE's economic progress

At Mastercard, we continue to leverage our technology, insights, global expertise, and partnership approach to empower every business everywhere to grow digitally and become stronger than before.

Inclusion
A world designed for all of us is priceless

At Mastercard, we focus on connecting and powering an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible.

Inclusion
Reflecting on Ukrainian resilience

To help small and medium-sized businesses, we launched the Mastercard Start Path Ukraine initiative, which provides mentoring and financial aid.

Inclusion
Digital payments ignite a new era of hope for SMEs in Kenya

Small businesses are recognizing the practical benefits of digitalization in day-to-day operations, as opposed to viewing it as a long-term project for the future.

Inclusion
Mountains, momos and a monsoon: Tales from Nepal

Employees from Mastercard's Eastern Europe, Middle East and North America region climbed Mardi Himal. It was the trip of a lifetime — and a trip that could change lives for Nepalese children.

Innovation
Forging a path for organizations to thrive

In this ecosystem full of potential, Mastercard has an important role to play. We are excited about nurturing the region’s fintech landscape through innovative strategy, strong collaboration, and acquisitions.

Inclusion
Shaping a sustainable future together

In Africa alone, 9 in 10 people said that they’re willing to take individual action to combat environmental and sustainability issues, making this a key focus area for governments and businesses.

Inclusion
Mastercard receives Ukraine Peace Prize

Mastercard was honored with the Ukraine Peace Prize. Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, announced the award to recognize the companies, governments, and world politicians who have supported the country during the ongoing conflict.

Trust
Advancing Georgia’s digital economy through partnership

Digital transformation harbors great potential for emerging markets who want to build strong, modern, resilient digital economies, and Georgia is no exception.

Innovation
Future-proofing small businesses for success

With small businesses representing 98 percent of all businesses, creating more than half of the private sector workforce and contributing a third to South Africa’s GDP, the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will only aggravate an already struggling economy.

Innovation
Priceless: A celebration of 25 years

There are some things that money can’t buy; for everything else, there’s Mastercard. This simple sentence uttered 25 years ago, captured the imagination of millions and thrust Mastercard’s Priceless campaign onto the global platform.

Inclusion
Planting the seeds of empowerment in Malawi

A nonprofit initiative that supplies villages with pumps for clean drinking water has blossomoned into a tree restoration plan that brings jobs to local women.

Inclusion
Turning price takers to price makers in Africa and India

Mastercard Farm Pass is helping farmers digitize their operations, access new buyers, and secure capital to grow.

Innovation
‘Making interesting things possible’: This startup has opportunity on speed dial in Africa

Nigeria’s Mono is bringing financial innovation to Africa — and boosting financial inclusion — through open banking.

Innovation
A startup with a smile

Seymur Rasulov, whose Azeri-based SmilePay is part of Mastercard Start Path’s latest cohort, says facial recognition can transform the financial ecosystem for consumers.

Inclusion
This Nigerian shopkeeper’s advice to female entrepreneurs: Start

In Lagos, Modupeola Lucy Asuku’s store grew in baby steps, nurtured by microloans and access to e-commerce.

Inclusion
In Zimbabwe, a blockchain startup Is taking the bull by the horn

The technology is being used to ensure traceability in supply chains, and smallholder cattle farmers hope it can help jump-start beef exports.

Inclusion
Journey to one billion

In this podcast, we speak to Mastercard experts and business leaders across the Middle East and Africa and around the world who are working together to build a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy that works for everyone, everywhere.

Inclusion
Unlocking a priceless, sustainable future

When it comes to fighting climate change, there is only one way to make a tangible impact: by joining forces. Partnerships are crucial to building a greener future for all. Living and working sustainably is the only way we can protect our planet for generations to come, and everyone must be on board.

Trust
Digital transformation means little without leadership

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of an evolving pandemic, digital transformation presents organizations with a historic need for resilient leadership that can turn ideas into action and lead people to a better future with empathy

Innovation
Expo 2020 Dubai: a historic opportunity to foster a lasting legacy

As the Official Payment Technology Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Mastercard is leveraging the mega event as a platform to build a more inclusive and connected future.

Innovation
The EXPO-nential impact of partnership

Now, as Expo 2020 Dubai is upon us, revealing how it is connecting minds and creating the future, the element that really stands out for me, is partnership.

Inclusion
Optimism for the ordinary

With a history of women often feeling they should simply be content with what they have, it is wonderful to see more and more support for women to persevere and pursue the extraordinary, reach for the stars, and achieve the until-now-impossible.

Inclusion
Diversity matters because diversity wins

The pandemic is a watershed moment for gender equality and an African Union report notes the importance of a gendered perspective in the analysis of this multi-dimensional event, to improve outcomes for women, and the wider society that benefits when women contribute.

Innovation
Driving mobile and card acceptance among informal retailers in South Africa

As long as people are trapped in a cash economy, they are locked out of many economic opportunities in the financial mainstream.