Mastercard Appoints Saud Swar as Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan & Levant

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – May 18, 2025: Mastercard has officially announced the appointment of Saud Swar as the new Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and the Levant, a strategic move aimed at strengthening its leadership team and expanding its regional footprint.

This appointment reflects Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to being the preferred technology partner in the West Arabia division. With a focus on driving an inclusive digital economy, Saud Swar’s leadership is expected to bring fresh insights and expertise to the company’s operations in the region.

Driving Regional Growth and Digital Inclusion

In his new role, Saud Swar will oversee Mastercard’s business operations across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Palestine. His responsibilities will include:

• Enhancing Local Market Engagement: Deepening Mastercard’s relationships with key stakeholders across the region.
• Promoting Digital Transformation: Empowering communities with secure, accessible, and innovative digital payment solutions.
• Expanding Mastercard’s Presence: Identifying new business opportunities and partnerships to drive growth.

Adam Jones, Executive Vice President and Division President of West Arabia at Mastercard, expressed his confidence in Saud’s appointment, stating:

“We are very pleased to see Saud Swar take another important step forward on his professional journey with this exciting appointment. Saud will play a pivotal role in advancing our work to empower the people and communities we serve with even greater access to a more secure and transformative digital economy.”

A Proven Leader with Extensive Experience

Saud Swar brings over 17 years of experience in the financial services industry to his new role. His career began at American Express, where he steadily rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as the Chief Business Officer – MENA for American Express Middle East. His extensive background in financial services and digital payments makes him a valuable addition to Mastercard’s leadership team.

Saud holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Bahrain and an Executive MBA from London Business School, further solidifying his credentials as a skilled leader with a deep understanding of technology and business management.

Vision for Digital Transformation

Commenting on his appointment, Saud Swar said:

“I am excited to begin this new chapter with Mastercard, making the most of my experience to complement and build on the team’s achievements. I look forward to working closely with our partners to unlock new opportunities, drive growth, and create impact across the division and wider region.”

Mastercard’s Commitment to Regional Excellence

Mastercard’s decision to appoint Saud Swar as Country Manager is part of its broader strategy to reinforce its leadership across the Middle East. By leveraging his experience and expertise, the company aims to drive digital innovation and financial inclusion in the region.

As a global leader in payment technology, Mastercard continues to play a critical role in advancing secure, seamless, and innovative payment solutions. The appointment of Saud Swar is expected to accelerate Mastercard’s mission to connect and power an inclusive digital economy across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and the Levant.

Why This Matters

• Strengthening Regional Leadership: A strategic move to drive growth across four key markets.
• Promoting Digital Inclusion: Enhancing access to secure and transformative digital payment solutions.
• Leveraging Local Expertise: Saud Swar’s experience will enhance Mastercard’s regional market knowledge.