How Delivery Hero is using fintech to transform digital payments in MENA with Mastercard

When it comes to using technology to make the lives of our customers, riders, and restaurant partners easier, Delivery Hero is always on the starting blocks. For exactly that reason, one year ago we started working on a new fintech platform to consolidate payment processing across the 43 countries we operate in and create a strong foundation for innovative and technology-enabled financial services. 

Today, we are partnering with Mastercard in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) to go one step further into making transacting at Delivery Hero safe and seamless for all our closest stakeholders: our customers, our riders, and our restaurant partners.

How online payments became the new normal

With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent social distancing and safety measures that were put in place, we have actively encouraged and have seen a strong acceleration of online payment adoption globally. Within the first half year of 2020, the share of orders paid online grew by over 40% in MENA. Very quickly, our local teams in the region noticed an opportunity to support safety measures while at the same time further spearheading the future of digital payments within their ecosystem. 

All our regional brands, including Talabat, Hungerstation and Zomato, have entered into a partnership with Mastercard to leverage the company’s expertise as a technology provider to drive digital financial transformation for all stakeholders in the region. The initiative spans across the UAE, Saudi Arabia (KSA), Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Oman and Bahrain.

Our local teams in the region noticed an opportunity to support safety measures while at the same time further spearheading the future of digital payments within their ecosystem. 

By pushing further adoption of digital payments, this partnership will create a superior customer experience and financial security for consumers, riders and restaurants, support the growth of digital inclusion across the region and additionally drive operational efficiencies across Delivery Hero’s platforms.

“At Delivery Hero, innovation is part of our DNA. Our Fintech team is constantly pushing industry standards to drive our ambition to deliver amazing experiences to our customers, restaurants and riders. Working alongside a strong and reliable partner like Mastercard in our MENA region ensures that we can shape the future of Fintech together,” said Orkhan Abdullayev, VP Fintech at Delivery Hero.

What it means for our customers

For all the consumers who order food or groceries online through Delivery Hero’s apps, the partnership means having more choice. Customers are able to pay on delivery with a contactless solution in addition to having the option of paying through a Delivery Hero digital wallet for their food orders. The wallet solution will enable consumers to make secure digital payments for orders and bring in a range of additional exciting rewards and offers. 

The solution will displace the need for cash and deliver a faster and more secure way to pay.

What it means for our riders

The partnership will see the launch of a virtual card solution, through which all delivery riders in the region will be able to receive instant access to their earnings through their mobile devices, providing near real-time earnings disbursements. Riders will be able to use this virtual card solution to make everyday purchases in store and online, as well as enjoy additional unprecedented access to financial services and lifestyle discounts.

What it means for our restaurant partners

Additionally, all the restaurant partners in the MENA region under the Delivery Hero banner will be able to securely receive payment settlements for orders from Talabat and Hungerstation. The restaurants will also be able to make supplier purchases, pay employee salaries and transfer payments. The solution will displace the need for cash and deliver a faster and more secure way to pay within their value chain.