Mastercard, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and Egyptian Banks Company (EBC), announced that it is bringing Apple Pay to users in Egypt, providing a safer, more secure and private way to pay in-store, in-app and online.
“With Apple Pay now available in Egypt, we are ushering in a new era of digital payments that aligns with our proactive efforts to promote digital transformation. This initiative is integral to our broader efforts to modernize the financial sector and foster a more inclusive, cashless economy,” stated Ehab Nasr, assistant sub-governor at CBE.
Secure, convenient payments
To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Every Apple Pay purchase is secure because it is authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, device passcode, or a one-time unique dynamic security code. Apple Pay is today an acceptable form of payment in grocery stores, pharmacies, taxis, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places.
“We are excited to bring Apple Pay to cardholders in Egypt and further drive the adoption of digital payments in the country. Apple pay empowers consumers with a safer, more convenient way to pay, whether in-store or online,” stated Mohamed Assem, country manager for Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon, Mastercard.
Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad, and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or supporting merchant websites without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in card details, shipping and billing information. Apple Pay makes it easier to pay for food and grocery deliveries, online shopping, transportation, and parking among other things.
Region shifts to digital payments
This announcement comes as the region swiftly shifts to digital payments. Apple Pay is now available in Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
This week, Magnati and Network International, two leading payment solutions providers and digital commerce enablers, introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in the UAE, enabling businesses to accept contactless payments using only an iPhone.
The Saudi Central Bank also announced the launch of ‘Samsung Pay’ through the national payment system ‘mada’ in Saudi Arabia as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the digital payments ecosystem in the Kingdom.
Read: iPhone ‘Tap to Pay’ service launched for UAE merchants
How to set up Apple Pay
Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap +, and follow the steps to add credit or debit cards. Once a customer adds a card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Customers will also continue to receive all of the rewards and benefits of all their cards.
For cardholders in Egypt, Apple Pay is available with the National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr and Commercial International Bank.
“The launch of Apple Pay in collaboration with Mastercard and the Central Bank of Egypt represents a major advancement in Egypt’s financial sector. This not only eases the digital transactions but also contributes to the development of a broader digital payments ecosystem,” added Tarek Raouf, executive chairman and CEO of EBC.
