Mastercard and Tamatem have announced a partnership to digitize and simplify in-game payments and subscriptions across the Middle East and Africa. Tamatem is a leading mobile games publisher in MENA, backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and supported by Abu Dhabi Gaming. Under the collaboration, Mastercard Gateway will power Tamatem Plus in more than 13 markets, beginning with the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Partnership Overview
The agreement establishes Mastercard Gateway as the payment gateway behind Tamatem Plus, Tamatem's white-label digital commerce platform. Available through Mastercard Merchant Cloud, the platform provides a streamlined way to access modular payment solutions. The integration is intended to give game publishers a direct-to-consumer channel that supports stronger player relationships and greater brand control.
Payment Platform Capabilities
Tamatem Plus currently powers more than 30 localized storefronts and provides access to over 50 local payment methods through one integration. Players can check out using cards, local alternative payment methods, and telco wallet balances. Mastercard Gateway adds authentication, fraud protection, tokenization, and multiple local and international acquirer connections to these capabilities.
Security and Checkout Experience
The partnership combines Mastercard's global payment platform with Tamatem's regional infrastructure to deliver a smoother checkout experience. Mastercard Gateway enables secure transaction processing across websites, mobile apps, and other channels. Its modular services, including agentic commerce, advanced fraud protection, authentication, tokenization, and data services, help merchants scale faster and with less friction.
Executive Perspective from Mastercard
Mete Güney, executive vice president for Market Development at Mastercard EEMEA, said gaming is one of the fastest growing passions in the region. He emphasized that meaningful partnerships are digitizing in-game payments to deliver convenience and level up engagement. He also described Tamatem as a remarkable local success story and said Mastercard is excited to combine its technology and network with Tamatem's vision.
Executive Perspective from Tamatem
Hussam Hammo, founder and CEO of Tamatem, said the company was founded in 2013 on the belief that MENA deserves world-class gaming built for local language and culture. He called the Mastercard partnership a proud moment for the team and a signal of what homegrown Arab technology can achieve globally. He added that the collaboration makes playing, paying, and belonging simpler and more secure for every gamer in the region.
Regional Scalability for Gaming Companies
Faisal Al Bitar, managing director of Tamatem Plus, noted that gaming companies entering MENA face a highly fragmented payments landscape with different consumer preferences across markets. He said Tamatem Plus was built to remove that complexity through one localized commerce and payments platform. He added that combining Mastercard's global capabilities with Tamatem's regional knowledge can help gaming companies grow more effectively across MENA.
A Step Forward for MENA Gaming
As a direct Mastercard Gateway partner, Tamatem Plus will benefit from 24/7 technical support, multiple local and international acquirer connections, and training to develop local capabilities. The platform helps gaming and digital content companies reach and monetize consumers throughout MENA. This collaboration is expected to support the region's expanding gaming economy by reducing fragmentation in digital payments.
The partnership between Mastercard and Tamatem represents a significant step in the development of MENA's gaming and digital commerce ecosystem. By combining secure payment infrastructure with local market expertise, the two companies aim to create a more seamless experience for players and publishers alike. The rollout will begin in the UAE and Saudi Arabia before extending across more than 13 regional markets.