Paytm has announced the appointment of Ramana Kumar as Chief Executive Officer for its Middle East business, as the company steps up efforts to expand its digital payments footprint across the region. Based in the UAE, Kumar will lead the rollout of localized financial solutions, designed to address the unique needs of Gulf markets.
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm’s Founder and CEO, welcomed the appointment, highlighting Kumar’s deep-rooted understanding of the region. “Ramana has built a formidable merchant payments business in the UAE,” Sharma said. “With strong regional leadership and our proven technology, we aim to serve the Middle East with precision and scale.”
Veteran Executive with Proven Regional Experience
Kumar brings 20 years of banking experience, including 15 years in the UAE, to his new role. He began his career at Ernst & Young, where he worked as a Senior Manager for three years.
In 2010, he moved to Abu Dhabi and joined the National Bank of Abu Dhabi. There, he climbed the ranks to become Managing Director of Global Transaction Banking. During his time at the bank, he played a key role in digital banking innovation and product transformation.
In 2017, Kumar joined First Abu Dhabi Bank as Executive Vice President. He led the bank’s digital and payments verticals, building capabilities that supported regional fintech growth. Later, in 2021, he became the founding CEO of Magnati, FAB’s fintech spin-off. He led Magnati until March 2025, overseeing its development into a leading provider of payment and merchant services.
Driving Innovation in a Rapidly Evolving Market
Ramana Kumar
Paytm CEO for Middle East Operations
Ramana Kumar is optimistic about the region’s digital future. “The Middle East is embracing digital payments at an unprecedented pace,” he said. “There’s growing demand for secure, scalable, and innovative solutions.”
He noted that Paytm’s technology—honed in India—is well suited to the region’s digital transformation goals. “We will collaborate with regulators and ecosystem partners,” he added, “to deliver impactful solutions and boost the digital economy.”
With this move, Paytm aims to capitalize on growing demand for cashless transactions, particularly in the UAE, where fintech adoption is accelerating.
Academic Credentials and Outlook
Ramana Kumar holds a degree from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, graduating in 1999. He went on to earn an MBA from IIT Kanpur in 2001.
His appointment signals Paytm’s commitment to regional leadership, while underscoring its intent to compete in a dynamic, high-growth fintech market.
