Visa Appoints Mario Makary as Vice President and Country Manager for UAE to Drive Digital Payment Innovation

Visa has appointed Mario Makary as Vice President and Country Manager for the United Arab Emirates, placing a veteran of the Levant region at the helm of its Dubai-based operations. For fintech professionals, this move signals a strategic consolidation of leadership in a market central to the global evolution of digital commerce and cross-border money movement.

What was announced

Visa confirmed that Mario Makary will now lead the company’s business in the UAE, taking on a portfolio that includes market strategy, business development, and the management of critical relationships with clients, partners, and regulators. Based in Dubai, Makary is tasked with supporting the evolution of the local payments ecosystem by expanding digital payment acceptance and enabling new methods for consumers and businesses to move money.

Makary transitions into this role with more than 12 years of experience within Visa’s own ranks. His tenure has seen him manage operations across Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and the wider Levant region. Most recently, he served as Vice President for the Levant, where he led client engagement and business strategy for that subregion. His background also includes prior experience in the broader banking and payments industries before joining the global payments giant.

In his new capacity, Makary will report to Fadi Moukaddem, who serves as Senior Vice-President and Group Country Manager for the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar. The appointment is positioned as a key step in Visa’s strategy to deploy its global network and advisory capabilities to help UAE-based businesses and communities thrive in an increasingly digital economy. The focus remains on secure digital payments and the rollout of value-added services across the country, as the UAE continues to position itself as a hub for commerce and digital innovation.

"The UAE is one of the world’s most dynamic and forward-looking markets, with a clear ambition to shape the future of commerce and digital innovation. Mario brings deep industry knowledge, a strong understanding of our clients and an established track record within Visa. His appointment reflects the strength of our internal talent pipeline and our continued commitment to supporting clients and partners as they pursue growth and innovation in the UAE. I look forward to working closely with Mario as we build on Visa’s strong foundation in the UAE and deliver the next chapter of our strategy in the market."

Fadi Moukaddem, Senior Vice-President and Group Country Manager for the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar at Visa.

The companies involved

Visa (NYSE: V) stands as a dominant force in the global digital payments landscape, facilitating transactions across more than 200 countries and territories. The company acts as a central infrastructure provider for consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities, focusing on the reliability and security of its payments network. Its mission centers on the belief that inclusive economies are foundational to the future of money movement, a philosophy that drives its expansion into emerging and high-growth markets like the Middle East.

As a publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange, Visa maintains a massive footprint in the fintech sector, often serving as the primary partner for traditional banks and digital-first neobanks alike. In the United Arab Emirates, the company has established a significant presence, using its Dubai hub to coordinate regional efforts in digital innovation and commerce. With a history of integrating advanced technology into its core network, Visa remains a benchmark for the industry in terms of scale and technological adoption. FF News has tracked the company’s developments extensively, with over 700 reports detailing its partnerships, product launches, and leadership shifts globally.

What FF News has reported before

Visa’s activity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been a recurring theme in recent coverage. FF News recently reported on a significant Visa Scores Regional Partnership with LALIGA to Drive Fan Engagement Across MENA, highlighting the company’s use of sports marketing to deepen consumer ties in the region.

Beyond regional marketing, Visa has been active in technical infrastructure and cross-border solutions. This includes a collaboration where UPT Partners with Visa to Launch Virtual IBANs for Corporate Cross-Border Payments, simplifying international transactions for corporate clients. Additionally, the company continues to push the boundaries of payment security and automation, as seen when Cleverbridge and Visa Complete France’s First Live Passkey-Authenticated Agentic Payment. These developments underscore Visa's broader commitment to modernizing the movement of money through both consumer-facing and back-end technological advancements.

What this means

The appointment of a seasoned regional leader like Makary suggests that Visa is prioritizing continuity and deep-rooted local expertise to navigate the UAE's competitive landscape. As the UAE government pushes for a cashless society, the pressure on payment networks to provide more than just transaction processing is mounting. Competitors are increasingly judged on their ability to offer value-added services and seamless cross-border capabilities. This leadership change raises questions about how Visa will differentiate its advisory services in a market where local fintechs and international rivals are all vying for the same digital-first merchant base. The focus on "money movement" over simple card payments indicates a broader industry shift toward holistic financial ecosystems.