Payments & Fintech Advisory · Doha · London · Istanbul
Shaping the
Future of Payments
Independent advisory for financial institutions, acquirers, issuers, fintechs and governments shaping the next generation of payments across GCC, MENA and Europe.
Services
Four core services
From investment assessment to operational change, across the payments and fintech lifecycle.
Technical & Regulatory Assessment
Due Diligence
Independent evaluation of payments and fintech businesses for investors, acquirers and strategic partners.
Explore →Market Entry & Growth Strategy
Strategic Planning
Market entry analysis, product-market fit, competitive positioning and go-to-market strategy for payment businesses.
Explore →Payments Modernisation
Digital Transformation
Platform selection, integration management, ISO 20022 migration and operational change management.
Explore →Full Payment Method Coverage
Electronic Payments
Cards, digital wallets, instant payments, A2A transfers and contactless solutions across GCC, MENA and Europe.
Explore →Solutions
Specialist advisory by payments domain
Advice on the technologies and business models changing how payments work, from agentic commerce to tokenised settlement.
Insights
Recent analysis
BNPL · GCC
BNPL Regulation in the GCC: SAMA, CBUAE and QCB Compared
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar all license BNPL providers, but their rules on credit limits, tenor, fees and credit checks differ. What payment firms and merchants need to know.
Card Fees · UK / Europe
Card Scheme Fees Under Pressure: The UK Regulator's Intervention
The PSR found Visa and Mastercard fees up at least 25% in real terms since 2017. New governance rules, the cross-border interchange cap and what they mean for acquirers and GCC groups.
Stablecoins · GCC / Global
Stablecoins as Payment Instruments: GCC and Global Regulation
The UAE, the US, the EU and Hong Kong now regulate stablecoins as payment instruments. Where Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain stand, and what GCC payment firms should do.
About
Independent advisory at the heart of payments
MENA Advisory was founded in Doha in January 2020. Within weeks, a global pandemic closed borders worldwide, disrupting the fly-in model that GCC payments businesses had relied on for senior expertise from Dubai, London, New York and Singapore.
We are an independent international advisory practice working exclusively in payments and fintech. Operating from Doha, London and Istanbul, we advise financial institutions, major retailers, travel management companies, acquirers, fintechs and government entities across the GCC, MENA and Europe.
Our independence is deliberate. We have no vendor or technology partner relationships that would compromise the objectivity of our advice. Every recommendation is built on what is right for the client’s business model, regulatory environment and commercial objectives.
Work with us →Contact
What can we help you Achieve?
Whether you are assessing a fintech investment, planning a transformation programme or reviewing your payment infrastructure, tell us what you are working on.