PayPal’s Suzan Kereere on the company’s growing presence in the Middle East

International digital payments platform PayPal is making a strategic move to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Here, Suzan Kereere, president of Global Markets at PayPal, shares how the company’s new regional hub in Dubai fits into its global strategy, how it’s tapping into the region’s booming e-commerce and fintech sectors, and why building partnerships and driving financial inclusion are at the heart of PayPal’s vision for the future.

From empowering startups to supporting large enterprises in cross-border trade, Kereere outlines how PayPal plans to help shape a more connected, inclusive digital economy across the Middle East and beyond.

Why is now the right time for PayPal to expand into the Middle East, and how does the new Dubai office fit into your broader global markets strategy?

The Middle East is undergoing an extraordinary digital transformation. Governments are investing in infrastructure, fintech innovation is booming, and consumers are embracing digital experiences faster than ever before.

Our new regional hub in Dubai isn’t just symbolic, it’s strategic. It places us closer to our customers and partners, enabling us to co-create in real-time, accelerate innovation, and tailor our offerings to the region’s unique needs.

This office anchors our Global Markets strategy by extending our reach to over 80 countries from one of the world’s most dynamic crossroads.

With 1.9 billion people and a $200bn digital payments market, how is PayPal positioning itself to tap into the region’s immense potential — particularly in fast-growing sectors like e-commerce and fintech?

We see this region as a leading force in shaping the future of digital commerce. PayPal’s strength lies in its global scale combined with a diverse and adaptable suite of products.

We’re doubling down on partnerships in fintech, commerce, and financial services to ensure seamless connectivity into the global digital economy.

Whether it’s enabling a frictionless checkout for businesses or supporting gig economy workers with fast payouts, PayPal is well positioned to help drive the next wave of economic growth in the region.

Tell us more about PayPal’s approach to working with local partners and fintech innovators, including your investments in BNPL platforms and other regional startups.

Partnership is our superpower. We collaborate with banks, fintechs, telecommunications providers, and other commerce players. It’s about creating a network effect for the benefit of our shared customers. That spirit of collaboration is central to our strategy for the Middle East and Africa, and our global business at-large.

Through PayPal Ventures, we’ve invested in some of the region’s most promising fintechs including Tabby in the UAE. These investments allow us to learn from local innovators and amplify their reach using our infrastructure.

What is PayPal doing to support both large enterprises and small businesses in the region, especially those looking to grow through cross-border trade and digital transformation?

Our aim is to level the playing field. For large enterprises, we offer sophisticated global commerce capabilities, helping them scale into new markets with minimal integration effort.

For SMEs and startups, we simplify the complexities of commerce, whether it’s settling in multiple currencies, finding new customers, or leveraging the power of new technologies. Our partnership with Ignyte, for example, is about giving thousands of startups the tools to go global from day one.

In a region where financial inclusion and trust are critical, how is PayPal helping bridge the gap for underserved communities while building a secure, inclusive digital payments ecosystem?

Financial inclusion is one of the most powerful drivers of equitable growth. Through our work with partners like TerraPay, we’re enabling wallet-to-wallet transfers that can help bring millions into the digital economy, especially those outside the formal banking sector​. Our commitment is twofold: accessibility and protection.

We are building an ecosystem where every transaction, regardless of size or origin, is backed by the trust with which PayPal is synonymous. Inclusion isn’t a metric for us. It’s a mindset that shapes everything we will build in the region.