Mastercard has renewed its multi-year agreement with Bahrain-based fintech INFINIOS to advance business-to-business (B2B) travel payments across the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), marking an important step in supporting the digital transformation of the travel sector.
The deal
strengthens the long-standing collaboration between the two companies - with
the introduction of Mastercard Wholesale Programme (MWP), a virtual card-based
B2B payment product to advance the digitisation of B2B travel payments
between travel buyers and suppliers.
The
announcement was made at the fourth edition of Gateway Gulf, held o nNovember 1–2,2026 at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain
Bay.
Hosted by
the Bahrain Economic Development Board (Bahrain EDB), the forum convenes under
the theme “Reimagining Global Partnerships, Powering Sustainable Growth”.
The
Mastercard Wholesale Programme digitises B2B travel payment flows,
reducing the reliance on
manual payment processes and minimising the challenges that come along with
them.
Through MWP, merchants and travel agencies within
the complex travel ecosystem benefit from enhanced automation, transparency, and
security, as well as improved liquidity and flexibility.
The
strategic expansion of this agreement between Mastercard and INFINIOS signifies
a commitment to scaling and commercialising MWP across markets in the MENA
region.
MENA
travelers are increasingly embracing digital payment options.
In 2025,
the number of online travel bookings in the region surged by 63% compared to
previous year.
Meanwhile,
bookings via travel intermediaries from markets in MENA are projected to exceed
$100bn by 2028, driven by ongoing digital innovation and consumer preference.
“The future of travel payments is digital and borderless,
and our renewed collaboration with Mastercard accelerates that reality. As a
pioneer of Virtual Corporate Cards (VCCs) in the region, INFINIOS’ ambition has
been to enable faster, more transparent, and automated B2B transactions,
empowering global businesses to scale with confidence. We continue to unlock
liquidity across the ecosystem, and this milestone marks another significant
step toward reshaping the future of the industry,” said Sherif Abdelsalam, CEO,
INFINIOS.
“At Mastercard, we are committed to deepening strategic partnerships and scaling proven solutions to support the continued growth of the travel sector, which increasingly relies on digital and automated payment options. The renewed agreement represents a significant evolution in our relationship with INFINIOS – demonstrating the successful execution and expansion of an essential fintech collaboration in MENA,” said Saud Swar, country manager, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan and other Levant, Mastercard. -TradeArabia News Service