In a keynote session titled "A Decade of Payment Trends: Insights from Worldpay’s 2025 Global Payments Report on the UAE & Middle East," Mr. Tausif Ahmed, Country Leader for Worldpay MEA, shared exclusive findings from the company’s latest report — now in its 10th year and widely considered the industry benchmark for consumer payment behavior.

Ahmed, who brings over 35 years of experience across finance and payments, contextualized the regional transformation within global megatrends — from mobile-driven transactions to the explosive rise of BNPL and real-time infrastructure. ‎‎

Mobile Is King — But Not Alone on the Throne

The smartphone has become the de facto checkout counter. In 2014, only 19% of e-commerce transactions were done on mobile. In 2024, that figure has tripled to 57%, and is forecasted to hit 64% by 2030. But it’s not just phones leading the charge.

"We're closely watching the rise of smartwatches in payments — they may start eating into mobile's share," Ahmed added, hinting at the next interface evolution.

Wallets & BNPL: From Niche to Norm

A decade ago, digital wallets like Alipay and PayPal existed — but had limited reach. That’s no longer the case.

• Digital wallet share of e-commerce has grown ten fold over the past decade.
• BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) exploded by 15,000%, now worth US$342B globally in 2024.
• In Germany, BNPL accounts for 1 in 5 online transactions.

Consumers are embracing entirely new financing behavior, especially among younger demographics and credit-light markets.

Real-Time Rails: The Infrastructure Era

One of the most transformative shifts has been the rise of Account-to-Account (A2A) payments. More than 20 systems like India’s UPI, Brazil’s Pix, and Saudi Arabia’s Sarie are now powering instant, direct bank transfers across e-commerce and POS.

“Governments and central banks are not just regulators — they’re enablers of access,” said Ahmed. A2A transactions are forecast to hit US$3.7T globally by 2030.

Cash: Declining, Not Dead

Cash has lost significant ground — falling from 44% of global POS value in 2014 to just 15% in 2024. But full extinction? Not quite.

“Cash will always be there,” Ahmed noted when asked if it’s dying. “But digital wallets are the name of the game right now — and many nations are already fully onboard.”

In places like Norway, where cash use hit a low of 4%, regulators had to mandate that businesses continue accepting it. The bottom line? Cash remains a fallback, not a front-runner.

UAE: Wallets Built on Plastic, Led by Tabby

The UAE exemplifies the shift toward blended innovation:

• Digital in-store payments have risen thirteen fold since 2014, now making up 27% of POS.
• 77% of wallets are funded by cards, with credit cards alone at 47%.
• BNPL is booming — Tabby leads, used by 49% of online BNPL shoppers.

Consumers also favor global wallet brands:

• Apple Pay (28%)
• Google Pay (16%)
• Samsung Wallet (13%)

Saudi Arabia: Local Networks, Global Intent

In Saudi Arabia, Mada remains the dominant scheme — powering 90% of card transactions. But the market is far from static.

• Cash dropped from 61% to 22% between 2020 and 2024 — a stunning fall in just four years.
• Sarie, the national A2A system, is growing at 16% CAGR.
• Wallet funding breakdown: 39% credit card, 31% bank account, 16% debit card.

This market exemplifies a “leapfrog” approach — bypassing legacy systems in favor of modern infrastructure, faster.

MEA at Large: Inclusion Drives Uptake

Across the Middle East and Africa:

• Digital payments now account for 49% of e-commerce, up from 29% in 2014.
• POS digital payments jumped from 1% to 33%, forecasted to reach 47% by 2030.
• Nigeria’s banked population rose from 35% (2011) to 70% (2021).
• South Africa increased from 54% to 85% over the same timeframe.

Improved infrastructure and inclusion, coupled with mobile access equals a market where cash is no longer king.

Final Word: The Race Is On — Localised, Digital, Fast

Mr. Ahmed closed the session with a nod to the future: CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currencies) are now on the radar, and the next leap may come from policy as much as from technology.

“The next frontier isn't just about going digital — it’s about going local, fast, and secure. That’s where the future lies.”

As the UAE and Saudi Arabia double down on real-time rails, mobile commerce, and regulatory tech, the message is clear: the Middle East isn’t catching up — it’s setting the pace. ‎

Why Payment Trends Matter for Fintech Builders Like Aquariux?

The insights from Worldpay’s 2025 Global Payments Report highlight one thing clearly: the future of finance is faster, smarter, and built on adaptable infrastructure. Whether it’s real-time rails, wallet integration, or multi-channel experiences, financial institutions and platforms need to evolve in step with user behavior and regional dynamics. At Aquariux, we build fintech solutions that support this shift — from white-label trading platforms to payment gateway integrations and digital asset infrastructure. Our mission is to help brokers, exchanges, and financial institutions move in sync with the market — not behind it. Looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing financial landscape? Talk to us here.