GCC Payment Gateways Market Research Report: Growth Drivers & Forecast (2026-2032)

GCC Payment Gateways Market Report Key Takeaways:

• The GCC Payment Gateways Market size was valued at around USD 3.92 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 8.69 billion by 2032. The estimated CAGR from 2026 to 2032 is around 12.04%, indicating strong growth.
• By payment method, the credit/debit cards segment represented 50% of the GCC Payment Gateways Market size in 2025.
• By end user, the retail & e-commerce sector seized around 52% of the GCC Payment Gateways Market size in 2025.
• UAE leads the GCC Payment Gateways Market with a dominant 33% share, while Saudi Arabia emerges as the fastest-growing market, projected to expand at a robust 12.40% CAGR during 2026-32.
• The leading payment gateway companies in the GCC are HyperPay, PayTabs, Telr Pte Ltd, TotalPay Payment Services Provider LLC, Tap Payments, CashU Inc., Network International, UAE Payment Gateway Service (UAEPGS), Infibeam Avenues Ltd., Checkout Ltd, STC Pay, Amazon Payment Services, Adyen, Paypal, Stripe, and others.

Market Insights & Analysis: GCC Payment Gateways Market (2026- 2032):

The GCC Payment Gateways Market size is valued at around USD 3.92 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 8.69 billion by 2032. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 12.04% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-32.

The GCC Payment Gateways Market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the rapid expansion of e-commerce and digital services, alongside the increasing adoption of unified and orchestrated payment platforms that enhance interoperability, security, and transaction efficiency across the region.

In 2024, digital consumer behavior across GCC countries demonstrated a clear preference for mobile-first commerce, directly increasing transaction volumes and the need for scalable, secure payment gateway solutions.

Mobile commerce adoption remained particularly strong across smaller GCC economies. For example, Kuwaiti consumers recorded 57% mobile commerce usage during major online retail periods in 2024, reflecting a structural shift toward smartphone-based purchasing and digital payments.

Oman followed a similar trajectory, with 58% of online orders placed via mobile devices in 2024, supported by national digital transformation objectives under Vision 2040, which emphasize electronic transactions and payment modernization. Furthermore, Bahrain also exhibited robust digital engagement, with 59% of online purchases conducted via mobile platforms during peak shopping cycles .

Larger GCC economies continued to dominate transaction volumes and values. For instance, in the UAE, 60% of all online orders in 2024 originated from mobile devices, reinforcing the country’s position as a mobile-centric digital retail hub. The UAE’s average e-commerce order value increased to approximately USD 102 in 2024, indicating higher consumer spending and greater reliance on digital checkout systems.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia led the region in mobile commerce penetration, with 62% of online orders placed via mobile devices. In contrast, the average order value reached roughly USD 52.5, reflecting rising consumer confidence in digital retail channels .

Qatar demonstrated strong momentum in high-value e-commerce transactions. In March 2024 alone, e-commerce transaction value reached approximately USD 1 billion, representing a 43.5% year-on-year increase. High average transaction values underscored the importance of robust payment gateways capable of handling larger ticket sizes securely and efficiently.

Beyond consumer behavior, the rise of unified and orchestrated payment platforms is reshaping the competitive landscape. The expansion of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in the UAE in 2025 highlights growing cross-border payment interoperability , while the UAE Central Bank’s Aani instant payment system consolidates multiple payment services into a single, real-time infrastructure. These initiatives reduce fragmentation, simplify merchant integration, and enhance transaction speed across digital services.

Looking ahead, government-led digital economy strategies will further strengthen market prospects. The UAE’s plan to transition over 90% of financial transactions to cashless modes by 2026 is expected to add approximately USD 2.2 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP, significantly expanding digital payment volumes .

Regionally, the GCC Statistical Center projects e-commerce market value to reach USD 33.3 billion in 2025 and USD 46.1 billion by 2029, driven by continued infrastructure investment and rising digital adoption .

Overall, sustained mobile commerce growth, rising transaction values, unified payment ecosystems, and long-term government digital strategies collectively position the GCC payment gateways market for robust expansion beyond 2025, with increasing demand for secure, interoperable, and high-capacity payment solutions.

GCC Payment Gateways Market Recent Developments:

• February 2025: Sadad and Mastercard announced a strategic collaboration to introduce a new digital payment gateway platform, powered by Mastercard Gateway, for merchants in Qatar. The solution delivers fast, seamless, and secure transactions with support for 30+ payment methods, advanced tokenization, biometric protection, and 3D Secure authentication, enhancing checkout experiences and boosting e-commerce growth locally.
• May 2025: Telr, a leading MENA payment gateway, acted as Silver Sponsor at Seamless Middle East 2025, highlighting its latest payment innovations, including split payments, Buy-Now-Pay-Later options, and enhanced fraud prevention tools designed for merchants of all sizes. This appearance builds on Telr’s Retail Payment Services License from the UAE Central Bank and underscores its role in evolving digital commerce across the region.

GCC Payment Gateways Market Scope:

GCC Payment Gateways Market Driver:

Rapid Growth of E-commerce and Digital Services

The accelerating growth of e-commerce across the GCC is a core driver of the payment gateways market, as rising online retail activity directly increases the need for secure, scalable, and seamless digital checkout infrastructure.

In the United Arab Emirates, government-backed research shows that the e-commerce market reached USD 8.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand to USD 13.8 billion by 2029. This growth is supported by widening online retail categories and strong consumer preference for digital shopping, all of which elevate transaction volumes processed through payment gateways.

In Saudi Arabia, the shift toward online commerce is equally pronounced. Official data reported by government-aligned media indicates that the number of registered e-commerce businesses grew by 10% year-on-year in 2024, reflecting increasing merchant participation under the Kingdom’s economic diversification and digital economy initiatives .

At the regional level, MENA e-commerce order volumes rose sharply in 2024, with average order values increasing from about USD 30 in 2023 to USD 35.6 in 2024, led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Higher-order values directly translate into larger payment flows managed by gateways.

Meanwhile, Qatar demonstrates strong digital adoption, with 54% of online orders in 2024 originating from mobile commerce, particularly during peak sales periods, signaling robust consumer engagement with digital retail channels .

Sustained e-commerce expansion across major GCC markets is structurally increasing online transaction volumes and merchant participation. This momentum will continue to drive strong demand for advanced payment gateways, supporting long-term market growth.

GCC Payment Gateways Market Trend:

Rise of Unified and Orchestrated Payment Platforms

Unified and orchestrated payment platforms are becoming a defining trend in the GCC payment gateways market. This shift is strongly supported by regional central banks aiming to modernize payment infrastructure, reduce operational fragmentation, and enhance cross-border interoperability in line with national digital economy agendas.

In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Central Bank introduced the E-commerce Payments Interface in 2025 as part of its broader payments transformation strategy. The initiative provides a centralized technical integration layer that enables banks, fintech firms, and e-commerce platforms to connect once and access multiple domestic and international payment services . By integrating the national mada system with global payment networks, the platform improves scalability, accelerates merchant onboarding, and strengthens transaction security through advanced mechanisms such as tokenization and standardized compliance processes.

The UAE is pursuing a similar objective through its integration into the AFAQ GCC payment system, which facilitates real-time, multi-currency settlement across GCC member states. The Central Bank of the UAE’s participation enhances regional payment interoperability, lowers transaction processing costs, and supports faster settlement for cross-border commercial activity . This development aligns with the UAE’s broader fintech and digital finance initiatives aimed at unifying payment flows across markets.

The transition toward orchestrated payment ecosystems improves efficiency, interoperability, and security across digital channels. Continued investment in unified payment infrastructure beyond 2025 will significantly strengthen payment gateway adoption and sustain long-term market expansion across the GCC.

GCC Payment Gateways Market Challenge:

Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Risk

The rapid expansion of digital payments across the GCC has significantly heightened cybersecurity and data privacy risks, creating a major operational challenge for payment gateway providers. As transaction volumes grow and mobile-based payments become mainstream, gateways increasingly serve as high-value targets for cybercriminals, exposing sensitive financial and personal data to potential compromise.

Government-reported data highlights the scale of the risk. In the UAE, the Cyber Security Council recorded over 12,000 public Wi-Fi–related security breaches in 2025, accounting for nearly 35% of all reported cyber incidents nationwide . These breaches demonstrate how unsecured digital access points can be exploited to intercept payment credentials, undermine transaction integrity, and erode consumer confidence in digital payment platforms.

Regulatory enforcement further underscores rising compliance pressure. In Qatar, the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Data Protection Office levied a USD 150,000 fine in 2024 against a licensed entity following a data breach linked to insufficient technical controls and delayed incident reporting. This action reflects stricter oversight and increasing accountability for payment service providers.

Overall, escalating cyber threats and rigorous data protection enforcement raise compliance costs and reputational risks for payment gateways. If not effectively managed, these challenges may slow merchant adoption and constrain long-term market growth in the GCC.

GCC Payment Gateways Market (2026-32) Segmentation Analysis:

The GCC Payment Gateways Market Report and Forecast 2026-2032 offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Based on Payment Method:

• • Credit / Debit Cards
  • Digital Wallets (eWallets)
  • Bank Transfers
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • QR-Code Payments
  • Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
  • Others

The credit/debit cards segment holds the top spot in the GCC Payment Gateways Market, with a market share of around 50%. This segment is maintaining its leadership due to its deeply established acceptance infrastructure, regulatory standardization, and strong consumer familiarity across both physical and digital commerce environments.

Card-based payments are universally supported by merchants, banks, and global payment networks, enabling consistent authorization, settlement, and chargeback mechanisms. Their dominance is further reinforced by advanced security protocols, including EMV chip standards, tokenization, and multi-factor authentication, which enhance transaction reliability and mitigate fraud risks. These features make cards particularly suitable for e-commerce, cross-border transactions, and high-value purchases where security and trust are critical.

In addition, credit and debit cards remain integral to recurring billing models, subscription services, and automated payments, where alternative methods often face interoperability limitations. Issuer-led benefits such as reward programs, installment options, and consumer protection policies further incentivize card usage.

While digital wallets, BNPL, and QR-based payments are expanding rapidly, the established ecosystem, global reach, and proven risk management capabilities of card payments continue to sustain their leading position within the payment gateways market.

Based on End User:

• Retail & E-Commerce
• Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI)
• Travel & Hospitality
• Healthcare
• Education
• Government Services
• Transportation & Logistics
• Telecommunications
• Others

The retail & e-commerce category leads the GCC Payment Gateways Industry, holding around 52% market share, driven by the sustained shift toward digital consumption and online purchasing channels.

This segment generates exceptionally high transaction volumes due to the frequency of consumer purchases across categories such as fashion, electronics, groceries, and fast-moving consumer goods, creating continuous demand for efficient, scalable payment processing solutions.

The dominance of this segment is further reinforced by the rapid adoption of mobile commerce, digital wallets, and alternative payment methods, including installment-based and deferred payment options.

Retailers increasingly operate in omnichannel environments, integrating websites, mobile applications, online marketplaces, and social commerce platforms, which necessitates seamless payment gateway integration across multiple touchpoints. Additionally, cross-border e-commerce activity has expanded retailer reach, increasing reliance on gateways capable of supporting multi-currency transactions, fraud detection, and regulatory compliance.

Seasonal promotions, large-scale online sales events, and flash discounts also drive sharp spikes in transaction volumes, requiring payment infrastructures with high availability, low latency, and strong security controls.

Collectively, the high frequency of transactions, evolving consumer payment preferences, omnichannel retail strategies, and growing cross-border sales firmly establish Retail & E-Commerce as the leading end-user segment in the payment gateways market.

GCC Payment Gateways Market (2026-32): Regional Projection

The GCC Payment Gateways Market is dominated by the UAE region, which holds a commanding 33% share, supported by its highly developed digital infrastructure and advanced payment ecosystem.

The country has achieved broad adoption of online and mobile payments across key sectors such as retail, travel, hospitality, and government services, reinforcing consistent demand for payment gateway solutions.

Strong regulatory frameworks, coupled with government-led initiatives to accelerate cashless transactions and digital finance adoption, have enhanced transaction security and boosted merchant confidence. The presence of a mature fintech landscape, alongside regional headquarters of global payment service providers, further strengthens the UAE’s market dominance.

Additionally, the UAE’s role as a hub for cross-border e-commerce and international trade contributes to higher transaction volumes and greater reliance on scalable payment gateway platforms.

Despite the UAE’s market leadership, Saudi Arabia is emerging as the fastest-growing market, projected to expand at a robust 12.40% CAGR during the forecast period, driven by rapid digitalization, expanding e-commerce activity, and ongoing national transformation programs.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our GCC Payment Gateways Market Report:

• GCC Payment Gateways Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of the market dynamics & make informed decisions.
• This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
• GCC Payment Gateways Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.

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