Checkout.com Wins MENA Fintech Award 2025 in Abu Dhabi- Saudishopper

Global payment solutions provider Checkout.com has been named ‘Fintech of the Year 2025’ by the MENA Fintech Association at its annual awards ceremony during Abu Dhabi Finance Week on December 11, 2025. The Checkout.com MENA fintech award recognizes the company’s role in advancing payment performance for merchants across the region and introducing new innovations with ecosystem partners.

The recognition comes as Checkout.com expands its footprint in the Middle East, helping businesses navigate complex local payment methods, regulations, and compliance requirements. The company serves major regional brands including Alshaya Group, Hunger Station, and Majid Al Futtaim.

Key Takeaways

Checkout.com received MENA Fintech Association’s top honor at Abu Dhabi Finance Week
Company’s automated optimization tool generated over USD 10 billion in additional merchant revenue between March and November 2025
Plans to introduce card-issuing capabilities in the UAE, expanding beyond payment processing

Award Recognition for Payment Performance

The MENA Fintech Association’s annual award ceremony, held during one of the region’s largest financial events, highlighted Checkout.com’s impact on the digital payments landscape. According to the company, its suite of products helps enterprise merchants achieve higher acceptance rates and improved customer experiences.

Remo Giovanni-Abbondandolo, General Manager MENA at Checkout.com, said the recognition reflects the team’s work supporting partners and merchants. However, the award is based on the company’s self-reported achievements, and independent verification of its market impact was not immediately available.

Performance Metrics and Automation

Between March and November 2025, Checkout.com’s Intelligent Acceptance tool—which the company describes as an automated optimization engine—reportedly generated more than USD 10 billion in additional merchant revenue. The figure represents the company’s calculation of incremental revenue enabled through its payment processing improvements.

The company processes payments in over 145 currencies and handles billions of transactions annually for thousands of businesses. Its client roster includes eBay, Netflix, SHEIN, and Sony, alongside regional players.

Regional Expansion Plans

Earlier in 2025, Checkout.com announced plans to introduce card-issuing capabilities in the UAE. According to the company, this represents what it describes as a first-of-its-kind investment by a global digital payments provider in the region, designed to support fintech development across MENA markets.

The expansion beyond payment processing into card issuance would position Checkout.com to offer more comprehensive financial infrastructure to regional clients. However, specific launch timelines and regulatory approvals were not disclosed in the announcement.

What This Means for MENA’s Fintech Sector

The Checkout.com MENA fintech award highlights the growing sophistication of payment infrastructure across Middle Eastern markets. As e-commerce and digital payments accelerate in the region, providers are competing to offer localized solutions that address regulatory complexity and diverse payment preferences.

For merchants operating across multiple MENA markets, unified payment platforms that handle various local methods and compliance requirements offer operational advantages. The company’s focus on acceptance rate optimization addresses a key challenge for businesses expanding in emerging digital economies.