Ottu and Mastercard Partner to Streamline Digital Commerce Across the GCC

Regional fintech Ottu has signed a strategic agreement with Mastercard to drive the expansion of digital commerce across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The collaboration will see Ottu integrate Mastercard Merchant Cloud, a payments platform that provides a single connection to over 200 acquirers and acceptance at more than 110 million locations globally. The move is designed to simplify and scale local payment methods for businesses operating in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, allowing them to access a wide range of local and international payment options through a single integration.

Streamlining payments for regional growth

By combining Ottu’s regional expertise with Mastercard’s global infrastructure, the partnership aims to create a more inclusive and scalable digital payments landscape. Ottu’s existing technology optimises online payment experiences for enterprises across various industries, including e-commerce, travel, and real estate, by unifying disparate payment channels into one dashboard.

Talal AlAwadhi, CEO of Ottu, commented on the strategic alignment: “This collaboration reflects our shared ambition to reimagine digital payments in the region. By joining forces with Mastercard, we are creating a streamlined ecosystem where enterprises can grow with confidence.”

Advanced security and local relevance

In addition to connectivity, the integration will leverage Mastercard Merchant Cloud’s advanced security features. These include network tokenisation, fraud detection, and robust authentication tools designed to safeguard transactions. The platform also connects merchants to a broader suite of commerce-enabling services.

For Mastercard, the partnership addresses the growing demand for payment localisation. Maria Parpou, executive vice president at Mastercard Merchant Cloud, stated: “Offering locally relevant payment methods is a key priority for our customers and this partnership with Ottu helps us provide a seamless payment experience through a single integration.”

The agreement marks a significant step for Ottu, a fintech known for its ‘Smart Router’ technology that optimises payments in real-time to boost success rates. By embedding Mastercard’s capabilities, Ottu reinforces its position as a primary enabler for global and regional enterprises looking to navigate the specific payment preferences of the GCC market.