PayPal revealed plans to inject $100 million into the Middle East and Africa to boost digital commerce, foster innovation, and back entrepreneurial ventures. This move comes after the firm opened its inaugural regional hub in Dubai earlier this year, and adds to its prior investments in several of the region’s leading fast-growing startups.
The funds will be used strategically via a combination of minority equity stakes, acquisitions, investments from PayPal Ventures, and initiatives in technology and talent deployment.
Its goal is to enable local companies to grow, open up fresh opportunities for innovators, and integrate millions of additional consumers and communities into the digital economy.
Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal, commented: “Businesses in the Middle East and Africa rank among the world’s most dynamic and fast-moving. With this $100 million investment over the years ahead, we are putting resources into technologies, partnerships, and solutions that help entrepreneurs scale more rapidly, extend their reach internationally, and open up new pathways for growth in the digital economy.”
This announcement builds upon the momentum generated in April 2025, when PayPal inaugurated its first regional hub in Dubai.
Created to serve as a gateway for global commerce, the Dubai hub offers both large enterprises and small merchants seamless payment solutions, strong security measures, and enhanced access to international markets.
PayPal Ventures already holds investments in several of the region’s leading startups, such as Tabby (a buy-now-pay-later platform), Egypt’s payments provider Paymob, and the South African fintech company Stitch.
