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How To Overcome Cross-Border Payment Challenges In The UAE Tourism Industry

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How To Overcome Cross-Border Payment Challenges In The UAE Tourism Industry 

 

In recent years, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a popular tourist destination, thereby, attracting millions of visitors every year. One such is the Gulf state of Dubai, which is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and one of the world’s fastest-growing wealth centres. Dubai is known to be the crossroad of the East and the West, hence making the state the business and tourism hub of the world.

 

However, as there is a throng of visitors to the UAE, the use of traditional payment methods for tourism-related services may be expensive and inefficient for both tourists and businesses of every size. Therefore, the best-fit payment solution for the tourism industry is the adoption of cross-border payments – with various platforms offering the service.

 

The UAE has become the toast of many tourism enthusiasts because of the unique culture, rich history, and luxurious adventure characterised by the country. Data by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) shows that the travel and tourism industry accounted for about 8.9% of the GDP in the Middle East in 2019, which was over $194 billion. Moreover, the tourism industry accounted for about $5.2% of the GDP in the UAE, approximating $24 billion in 2019.

 

Cross-Border Payment Challenges In The UAE And Middle East Tourism Industry

 

A report by McKinsey & Company indicates how cross-border payments can be expensive, with transaction fees between 3-5% of the amount. This means that a transfer fee between the range of $30,000 to $50,000 would be incurred in a cross-border transaction of $1 million annually. However, there are some cross-border challenges predominant in the UAE, and by extension, the Middle East.

 

1. Currency Volatility

 

Exchange rate fluctuations are common in the Middle East, hence reducing profitability in the region. This is owed to the increased uncertainty for businesses with high costs that hampers the potential for investment and growth.

 

2. Complex Regulations

 

The varying economic and regulation terrain in the UAE and other countries in the Middle East can create an impediment to businesses to successfully thriving and expand into international markets.

 

3. Inefficient Cross-Border Payments

 

The use of traditional cross-border payment methods like the local banks can be expensive, slow, and complicated with some documentation that poses great challenges to travel and tourism businesses. The waiting period for cross-border payments can roll over to days or weeks and which have a negative impact on sales, customer satisfaction, and in turn, dwindles the business.

 

How Fincra Proffers Solutions To Cross-Border Payment Challenges In The UAE’s Tourism Industry

 

Fincra is a leading digital payment provider that offers innovative financial solutions to help businesses in the UAE and the Middle East topple cross-border payment challenges. Therefore, Fincra is important to the tourism industry in various ways.

 

1. Centralised Cross-Border Payments

 

Fincra is characterised by a centralised platform that enables businesses to make fast and simple cross-border payments. As such, International transfers are fast and inexpensive on the platform.

 

2. Currency Exchange Facilitation

 

Fincra enables businesses to receive and transfer money in multiple currencies at the best competitive rate, thereby, reducing exchange rate volatility. It also helps businesses to manage their finances through the tracking feature available on the platform.

 

3. Customer Service Improvement

 

Fincra provides a simple and safe payment landscape that enables travel and tourism businesses to provide a relishing experience for their teeming customers. Therefore, tourism businesses would attract new customers while building a strong customer loyalty base.

 

Benefits Of Fincra’s Multicurrency Virtual Accounts For Travel And Tourism Business

 

Businesses can enjoy a myriad of benefits upon opening a multi-currency virtual account on Fincra. 

 

1. Multi-currency Management

 

Businesses can hold and manage over 50 currencies in a single account, thereby, making transaction management seamless and reducing vulnerability to currency fluctuations.

 

2. Effective Security Framework

 

There is a formidable security system on Fincra that enables the safety of every transaction on the platform. So irrespective of the amount and its currency, using Fincra is ultimately safe.

 

3. Competitive Exchange Rates

 

Fincra provides businesses with competitive exchange rates for currency conversion to maximize income and minimise currency conversion costs.

 

4. Fast Transaction

 

Transactions on Fincra are lightning-fast and which portends a great benefit for cross-border payments. Payment processing time on Fincra is shorter than traditional banks. Normally, businesses complete payments in a matter of minutes on the platform – unlike traditional banks which may take days or even weeks.

 

With Fincra, businesses across the UAE and the Middle East with virtual accounts can revive payments in over 50 different currencies to access multi-currency payment wallets. Businesses can receive payments in USD, EUR, GBP, KES, NGN, GHS, and whatnot with a local account using their local bank account details.

 

Conclusion

 

Cross-border payments and multi-currency virtual accounts are a better solution to the cross-border challenges that linger in the UAE and by extension, the Middle East tourism industry. However, the adoption of Fincra can centralise payment processes, secure payments and even offer multi-currency support for businesses. This would in turn improve customer experience and facilitate a competitive currency exchange.

 

Create a Fincra account now to grow your tourism business.

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FINTECH

Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania

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Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania

Fincra Receives Payment System Provider License from the Bank of Tanzania, Expands Regulatory Footprint in East Africa

Fincra, a leading pan-African payment infrastructure company, has received regulatory approval from the Bank of Tanzania through its 100% controlled local entity to operate as a licensed Payment System Provider, enabling it to deliver secure, scalable, and compliant payment services across Tanzania.

Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania

Fincra Granted Payment System License in Tanzania

This approval, granted under the Payment Systems Licensing and Approval Regulations, 2015, authorises Fincra to provide payment services in Tanzania. The license represents a significant milestone in Fincra’s East African expansion strategy and underscores its commitment to working closely with regulators to build trusted financial infrastructure across the continent.

“We are thrilled to receive this license from the Bank of Tanzania. It reflects our long-standing commitment to regulatory integrity and positions us to deliver even more value to businesses in East Africa,” said Wole Ayodele, CEO at Fincra. “This is a key part of our mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa”

The license allows Fincra to offer its suite of payment products and services to businesses operating in Tanzania, including local collections, business payouts, and API-based infrastructure for real-time payments, all while maintaining full compliance with the regulatory framework set by the Bank.

Fincra’s entry into Tanzania is strategically aligned with the country’s growing digital economy and its push for financial inclusion. Businesses in sectors such as fintech, logistics, travel, retail, and remittance will now be able to leverage Fincra’s infrastructure to scale faster, move money more efficiently, and expand across borders.

This development follows Fincra’s earlier regulatory approval in South Africa as a Third Party Payments Provider (TPPP) and cements the company’s position as one of the few African fintechs actively building a multi-market regulatory foundation to support a truly pan-African financial ecosystem.

About Fincra
Fincra is building the trusted financial infrastructure for businesses in Africa to move money locally and globally. Through a suite of APIs and no-code solutions, Fincra enables secure collections, payouts, and settlements across borders, with full regulatory backing in every market it operates.

Create a Fincra account in 3 minutes here

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FINTECH

Fincra Secures South African TPPP License

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Fincra Secures South African TPPP License

Fincra, a leading provider of payment infrastructure for local and cross-border payments in Africa, is proud to announce receipt of another Third Party Payments Provider (TPPP) in South Africa. 

Under this license, Fincra is now authorised to process the following types of payments:

  • Credit Card
  • Debit Card
  • EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) Credit
  • Real-Time Clearing (RTC)
  • Rapid Payments

The license reinforces Fincra’s ability to facilitate seamless, secure, and compliant financial transactions for businesses operating within and across South Africa. 

Fincra Secures South African TPPP License

Fincra Secures South African TPPP License

This development marks a pivotal advancement in Fincra’s mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa by creating the infrastructure to simplify how African businesses pay and get paid globally.

“Securing the TPPP license in South Africa is a significant step toward realising our mission to build the rails for an integrated Africa. It reinforces our commitment to building compliant, reliable infrastructure that powers cross-border trade at scale. We’re excited about the opportunities this opens  for businesses across the continent.”

— Ayowole Ayodele, CEO and Co-founder, Fincra. 

Fincra’s new capabilities enable businesses across Africa and beyond to integrate directly with South Africa’s core payment systems and banks, offering faster settlement, greater reliability, and compliance with the country’s stringent financial regulations. 

IFincra is now better positioned to support a broader range of merchants in industries such as e-commerce, logistics, B2B marketplaces, travel, and more.

 

“This license strengthens our ability to serve our merchants with faster, more secure, and locally compliant payment options in South Africa. It’s a game-changer for businesses looking to expand or operate in the region, and a strong signal of Fincra’s continued focus on enabling growth for our customers.”

— Emmanuel Babalola, CCGO, Fincra. 

For Fincra, this is not just a regulatory achievement, it’s a signal of what’s next for the African payments space. 

As Fincra expands across the continent, its growing regulatory footprint and partnerships with Tier-1 banks provide the foundation for scale and innovation. 

About Fincra
Fincra is a leading payment infrastructure provider enabling seamless cross-border transactions across Africa.

Fincra empowers businesses, fintechs, and financial institutions to collect payments globally and make payouts locally, all through one powerful API or platform. With Fincra, launching remittance products, automating payroll, and expanding into new African markets becomes effortless. Fincra is building the financial rails that power trade, innovation, and scale across the continent.

Create a free account in 3 minutes at fincra.com 

Connect with Fincra on LinkedIn , X(Twitter) Instagram, and Facebook

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BANKING

Network International appointed as Payment Processing Partner by MTN Group Fintech

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Network International appointed as Payment Processing Partner by MTN Group Fintech

Network International (Network) (www.Network.ae), a leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has been appointed as a Payment Processor – Issuing partner for MTN Group Fintech, Africa’s leading mobile financial services provider. This partnership marks a significant extension of Network’s portfolio of issuer processing collaborations throughout the African continent.

Network International appointed as Payment Processing Partner by MTN Group Fintech

Network International appointed as Payment Processing Partner by MTN Group Fintech

With a footprint spanning over 50 countries and serving over 250 financial institutions, Network International brings its expertise to this partnership which will enhance MTN Fintech’s cutting-edge mobile services and provide even greater value to stakeholders and customers across Africa.

The partnership will focus on rolling out card issuance products across key MTN Fintech markets, starting with Rwanda which is already operational. Soon   Uganda, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria will also be covered under this collaboration.  Network International will provide a comprehensive range of services, including transaction processing, card management and online fraud prevention. MTN Fintech users will benefit from a seamless experience accessing both traditional mobile services and innovative digital payment solutions.

Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing at Network International commented: “Our collaboration with MTN Group Fintech marks a major milestone for our outsourced payments services in Africa. It demonstrates our ability to successfully serve Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) via our fully-fledged processing solutions and our continued dedication and commitment to the African region. We are excited to support MTN Group Fintech’s growth strategy, and its business development plans across the continent.”  

Cedric N’guessan, Executive for Payment and E-commerce at MTN Group Fintech added, “This collaboration with Network International is pivotal in enhancing financial inclusion across Africa and beyond. It enables our customers to actively engage in the global economy, aligning perfectly with our strategic goals alongside Mastercard to broaden access to digital financial services across the continent.” Read More (https://apo-opa.co/43aKuII)

MTN Group provides voice, data, fintech, enterprise wholesale and API services to more than 288 million customers in 14 African markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.
About MTN Group Fintech:
MTN Fintech, the platform business of MTN Group, is dedicated to revolutionising global financial services through innovative digital technology solutions. Leveraging MTN’s extensive reach and expertise in telecommunications, MTN Fintech is committed to advancing financial inclusion for all and empowering communities in Africa. With a primary focus on pioneering mobile financial services, digital payments, e-commerce, short-term insurance, and remittance capabilities, MTN Fintech strives to establish seamless, accessible, and secure financial ecosystems that shape the future of digital finance.

About Network International:
Network International is the Middle East and Africa’s largest and leading digital payments company. Our purpose is to help businesses and economies grow by simplifying payments and commerce. We operate in 50+ countries serving governments, banks, fintechs, merchants and public sector companies. We have 2,000+ employees based in our markets serving over 250 financial institutions and 130,000+ merchants.

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