Mastercard collaborated with Middle East and North Africa (MENA) mobile games publisher Tamatem to strengthen digital payment experiences for gamers across the region. The partnership will initially launch in Saudi Arabia and the UAE before expanding to more than 13 markets across the Middle East and Africa.
Under the agreement, Mastercard Gateway, available through Mastercard Merchant Cloud, will become the payment gateway for Tamatem Plus. The platform is Tamatem’s digital commerce and marketplace solution for gaming and digital content.
The partnership will allow players to make purchases through localised web stores and in-game checkout experiences. Payment options will include cards, local alternative payment methods and telecom wallet balances.
Mastercard Gateway will also bring authentication and fraud-protection capabilities into the payment process. This can create a more secure checkout experience while helping game publishers manage payments across different markets.
Tamatem Plus currently supports more than 30 localised storefronts and over 50 local payment methods through a single integration. The platform is designed to help gaming companies establish direct-to-consumer channels and build stronger relationships with players.
The partnership addresses a key challenge for gaming companies entering MENA: fragmented payment infrastructure. Consumer preferences and available payment methods vary across countries, making a single payment setup difficult to scale.
Through Mastercard Gateway, Tamatem Plus will also gain access to 24/7 technical support, multiple local and international acquiring connections, as well as training and knowledge transfer. The companies plan to extend the arrangement beyond the initial Saudi Arabia and UAE rollout. The broader expansion will cover more than 13 markets across the Middle East and Africa.
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