Careem adds real-time payments to its app

A collaboration with Mastercard and Checkout.com, will allow Careem Pay customers in the UAE to access near real-time payments

Careem Pay has integrated Mastercard Send, in partnership with Checkout.com, to enable customers in the UAE to make payments in “near real-time”.  

Careem Pay is the fintech arm of Dubai-based Careem, the everything app, where users can order a taxi, buy food or make payments. With Careem Pay, customers can top up their digital wallet, transfer and receive money, and pay for products and services both on and beyond Careem’s everything app. 

Many bank transfers take hours to days to complete, Mastercard said. Mastercard Send will improve payments in the UAE, such as fast refund for marketplaces, disbursements for retail and delivery industries, and peer-to-peer and international transfers. Mastercard Send is available in 108 countries. 

Checkout.com is a payments solution provider for businesses. It uses Mastercard Send and its payment network to expand its wallet top-up service to millions of Mastercard cards in the UAE.   

Amnah Ajmal, executive vice president of market development in the EEMEA at Mastercard, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Checkout.com and Careem to strengthen the presence of Mastercard Send in the region.  

“In line with our commitment to driving digital transformation across the markets we serve, Mastercard is proactively working with our partners to enhance the choice of innovative payment options available to consumers.  

“We will continue to expand our partner network as we scale Mastercard Send across different segments and use cases.” 

Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, general manager for MENA at Checkout.com, said: “As one of the first Mastercard Send partners in the UAE, we will be able to offer advanced payment services to our customers and provide a seamless user experience during wallet top-ups.” 

Ahmed Salahy, director of strategic partnerships at Careem Pay, added: “The Mastercard Send solution will help Careem Pay fulfil part of our purpose and promise to customers to simplify their payment experiences and access to fintech products.” 

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Josh Poyser Josh Poyser is an editor at FinTech Intel. He has written about fintech for several years and appeared at FinTech Connect 2023 on the 'Unlocking Success: The Art of Fintech PR' panel.