Network International and Mastercard Move to Revolutionize Cross-Border Payments in Jordan

Network International and Mastercard have partnered to integrate the Mastercard Move portfolio into Jordan’s financial infrastructure. This collaboration allows local financial institutions and fintechs to facilitate near-real-time domestic and cross-border money transfers through a single connection, addressing the urgent demand for modernized liquidity management and faster digital payment experiences in the Middle East.

What was announced

The collaboration centers on Mastercard Move, a comprehensive suite of global money movement capabilities. By leveraging Network International’s established processing infrastructure in Jordan, licensed financial institutions, exchange houses, and payment service providers can now access a unified gateway for secure, card-based transactions. The system supports transfers to and from cards, bank accounts, and specific digital accounts, significantly reducing the friction typically associated with international remittances.

The initiative targets a wide array of use cases, including person-to-person (P2P) transfers, merchant payments, supplier and vendor payouts, and government or corporate disbursements. It also caters to the growing gig economy through features like digital tipping, wallet top-ups, and faster refunds. For businesses, the primary benefit lies in enhanced liquidity management, while for consumers, it offers a more inclusive path into the digital financial ecosystem, particularly for underserved and digitally emerging users.

The timing of this rollout coincides with a period of rapid growth for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) digital payments market. Valued at USD 248.35 billion in 2025, the sector is projected to reach USD 275.47 billion in 2026 and climb to USD 462.41 billion by 2031. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.92% between 2026 and 2031, highlighting the scale of the opportunity for providers capable of delivering near-real-time settlement in line with Jordan’s national digital transformation agenda.

"Mastercard Move is designed to address the growing appetite for near-real-time digital payments across the globe. By joining forces with Network International to introduce this global platform in Jordan, we are accelerating financial innovation and contributing to economic growth in the region. This launch represents an important milestone in our efforts to promote financial inclusion, boost cross-border payment efficiency and support secure and efficient digital payment experiences for the user across the country"

Saud Swar, Senior Vice President for KSA | Bahrain | Jordan & Other Levant at Mastercard.

The companies involved

Network International is a dominant force in the fintech landscape across the Middle East and Africa. As a primary enabler of digital commerce, the company provides a robust suite of technology-led payment solutions to merchants and financial institutions. Its deep local market presence and extensive processing infrastructure make it a critical partner for global networks looking to navigate the regulatory and technical nuances of the Levant region. The firm has established itself as a central pillar of the region's shift away from cash-heavy economies toward integrated digital ecosystems.

Mastercard is one of the world’s most recognizable financial services corporations, operating a global payments processing network that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, and governments in more than 210 countries and territories. The Mastercard Move portfolio represents the company’s strategic consolidation of its money movement capabilities, designed to streamline how funds flow across different rails, including cards and accounts. By integrating these global capabilities with local processors like Network International, Mastercard continues to solidify its position in emerging markets where digital transformation is a national priority.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely tracked the regional activities of both entities as they expand their footprint in the Middle East. Recently, we covered how Network International Launches UAE’s First In-Store AED Stablecoin Payment Pilot, demonstrating the firm's appetite for blockchain-adjacent innovation. Mastercard has been equally active in the Levant; we reported on how Bank Audi and Mastercard to Support 10,000 Lebanese Entrepreneurs via neo Business and their work with the central bank as Mastercard and Banque du Liban Partner to Drive Digital Payment Acceptance in Lebanon. Additionally, the network's global leadership changes were highlighted when Mastercard Names Sidney Massunaga as Country Manager to Lead Mexico Strategy.

What this means

This move signals a shift in the Middle Eastern payments landscape from simple card acceptance to complex, multi-rail money movement. By embedding Mastercard Move into Network International’s local stack, the friction of cross-border transfers is significantly reduced, putting traditional remittance houses under direct pressure. The focus on "near-real-time" capability is no longer a luxury but a baseline requirement as the gig economy and digital marketplaces demand instant settlement. This partnership raises the stakes for local banks in Jordan, who must now decide whether to build competing proprietary rails or integrate with these global-local hybrid platforms to remain relevant in a rapidly maturing $462 billion market.