Mastercard has teamed up with Bahrain-based fintech EazyPay to power its payment gateway with Mastercard Payment Gateway Services—a move that widens local merchants’ access to secure, multi-rail digital checkout options.
Under the deal, EazyPay’s 900 merchants and 5,600+ POS terminals gain the same MPGS backbone used by global acquirers, letting them accept all major card brands plus alternate methods in a single integration. For Bahrain’s SMEs—many of which still juggle siloed point-of-sale and e-commerce flows—the upgrade removes a layer of complexity and introduces Mastercard’s built-in fraud-screening tools. It also dovetails with the kingdom’s push to lift SME productivity; the sector produces about 30 percent of GDP, and policymakers want that share higher as part of Economic Vision 2030.
MPGS arrives at a moment when Bahraini consumers are embracing contactless and in-app payments faster than regional peers, buoyed by mobile-first banking and a cost-effective regulatory sandbox. Mastercard says extending its gateway technology supports the government’s digital-transformation agenda, while EazyPay aims to double its 2021 processing volume of US $502 million by 2023. For founders building subscription or marketplace models, the partnership means a more reliable local rails option—reducing the need to route transactions through offshore processors and shaving fees in the process.
“Our aim is to add value, and Mastercard’s seamless MPGS solution lets us make digital and e-commerce payments more seamless, smart and swift,” said Nayef Tawfeeq Al Alawi, EazyPay founder and CEO.
Merchants can apply for the upgraded service through EazyPay’s portal, with onboarding slots open now.
