News

Visa And Whish Money Partner To Expand Digital Payments In Lebanon

The first-of-its-kind partnership enables Whish Money to integrate Visa’s payment tech, advancing secure, scalable fintech solutions for over a million users.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 7, 2025

Nour Nasir

visa and whish money partner to expand digital payments in lebanon

Visa has entered a strategic partnership with Lebanon-based fintech Whish Money to enhance digital payment capabilities across Lebanon and international markets. The collaboration, announced at Whish Money’s newly opened campus in Beirut, positions the fintech company to integrate Visa’s advanced technologies into its platform — bringing improved speed, security, and global reach to its more than 1 million users.

The partnership marks a regional milestone: it is the first time Visa has partnered with an e-wallet provider in the Levant. Leila Serhan, Visa’s senior vice president and group country manager for North Africa, Levant, and Pakistan, described the alliance as one rooted in shared values of trust and innovation. She emphasized that Visa’s vast global network — spanning over 200 countries — will help accelerate Whish Money’s international expansion.

Whish Money, which has already established a global footprint, sees this agreement as a major step in its evolution. CEO and co-founder Toufic Koussa called the deal a “significant milestone,” citing the fintech’s strong compliance and security infrastructure as key enablers. He also noted Visa’s rigorous due diligence process as a sign of confidence in Whish Money’s operational maturity.

Also Read: The Most AI-Proof Career Opportunities In The Middle East

By embedding Visa’s digital payments infrastructure, the partnership will allow Whish Money to offer more seamless, efficient, and secure services — bolstering its standing in both domestic and global markets. The two companies plan to jointly raise the bar for fintech innovation, particularly in regions where reliable digital financial services remain underdeveloped.

As Lebanon’s fintech ecosystem gains momentum, collaborations like this signal a broader trend: global payments leaders are increasingly looking to regional innovators to co-create the next generation of digital financial solutions.

Related Topics:FinTech Lebanon Visa Whish Money

Up Next

80% Of Cyberattacks In The Middle East Lead To Data Breaches

Don't Miss

Expo City Dubai And Yango Group Launch Autonomous Food Delivery

Click to comment

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.