Visa, the global digital payments leader, has announced a strategic reorganization within its Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) operations, creating a new, dedicated region for the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. This move signals a deeper commitment to these key Gulf markets, aiming to accelerate digital payment innovation and foster stronger local partnerships.
Fadi Moukaddem to Lead New Division
To spearhead this new initiative, Visa has appointed Fadi Moukaddem as Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the newly formed region. Moukaddem, who joined Visa in 2014, previously served as the Regional CFO for the broader 87-market CEMEA region. His extensive experience with financial institutions and regulators, alongside previous senior roles at PepsiCo International and Nokia Networks, positions him to lead Visa’s strategy and operations across these three dynamic economies.
A Strategic Focus on High-Growth Markets
The creation of this new regional hub underscores the strategic importance of the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, each recognized for its rapid digital transformation. The UAE serves as Visa’s CEMEA headquarters and hosts its regional Innovation Center, a key launchpad for new payment technologies. Kuwait has demonstrated a fast-growing digital economy with high adoption of tokenization and contactless payments. Meanwhile, Qatar is making significant strides toward its National Vision 2030, with innovations in biometric payments and eCommerce.
Tareq Muhmood, Regional President for CEMEA at Visa, commented on the development, stating, “This evolution brings our leadership and expertise even closer to the clients and partners shaping the future of commerce in the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. These markets are among the most ambitious and forward-looking in the world when it comes to payments innovation.”
In his new role, Fadi Moukaddem expressed his enthusiasm for the region’s potential. “I am honored to take on this role at such an exciting time for digital payments in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar,” he said. “Having lived and worked in all three markets, I know firsthand the strength of our partnerships and the momentum driving the Gulf’s digital economy. I look forward to working closely with our clients and partners to expand secure, seamless payment experiences and support continued growth across the region.”
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement.
Source: Zawya
