Indian fintech Airpay will make the UAE its international headquarters from 2027, investing up to USD 100 million. The Mumbai-founded company announced the move Tuesday at BIT’26 in Dubai, targeting GCC and African markets through technology, talent, infrastructure, and local partnerships.
Airpay will use the UAE as its international base to extend payment acquiring, credit, wealth management, and distribution services. The company sees the India-UAE corridor as a strategic bridge for reaching Gulf and African markets with locally adapted financial products.
The planned investment will support technology infrastructure, talent development, product creation, and market expansion. Airpay also plans to build partnerships that match regulatory conditions and customer needs across individual markets.
Kunal Jhunjhunwala, founder of Airpay, said payments represent the beginning of broader financial relationships. He said the company wants infrastructure that can extend those relationships across multiple international markets.
Airpay has already tested payment acquiring and lending services in the UAE market. Those trials helped the company understand customer requirements, regulatory expectations, and wider financial service opportunities.
The UAE offers Airpay a strategic position between India, the Middle East, and Africa. Strong trade, remittance, investment, and cross-border commerce links support the company's regional expansion plans.
Founded in Mumbai in 2012, Airpay has expanded beyond payments into several financial services. Its portfolio now includes issuing, credit, wealth management, distribution, and payment acceptance capabilities.
The company serves more than 314,000 merchants and over 600 million consumers across India. Airpay also processes billions of transactions through financial institutions and business partners across its network.
Airpay employs more than 1,000 people across 13 offices and operates in four markets. Its licensed operations currently span India, the UAE, Tanzania, and Zambia, supporting its international growth strategy.
Africa will form another major part of Airpay's expansion from the UAE. Operations in Tanzania and Zambia focus on payments, distribution, and broader access to financial services.
The headquarters shift does not change Airpay's focus on India as its core operating market. Instead, the UAE fintech strategy creates a wider platform for taking Indian-built financial capabilities abroad.
The USD 100 million commitment also signals a multi-year expansion rather than an immediate spending plan. Regulatory approvals and local licensing will remain important as Airpay expands lending and other services.
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