ACI Worldwide and AFS Enter into a New Strategic Partnership
In a significant move that marks a milestone for digital payments modernisation in the Middle East, ACI Worldwide, a global leader in mission-critical, real-time payments software, has entered into a 10-year strategic partnership with Arab Financial Services (AFS), the foremost digital payments solutions provider and fintech enabler in the region. This collaboration empowers banks, FinTechs, and merchants across the Middle East and Africa with advanced technological solutions, driving innovation, growth, and profitability in the rapidly evolving payments landscape.
Regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and owned by 37 banks and financial institutions, AFS boasts an impressive client roster, serving over 60 clients in more than 20 countries. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking digital payment products, services, and solutions, including card processing services, merchant acquiring, FinTech solutions, and value-added services. This strategic partnership leverages ACI’s Enterprise Payments Platform and Payments Orchestration Platform, offering a unified solution for all payment types with enhanced security, cloud-ready technology, and multi-language, multi-currency capabilities, streamlining operations and reducing merchant costs.
Empowering Growth and Innovation
Samer Soliman, CEO of Arab Financial Services, and Santhosh Rao, Senior Vice President of Sales, MEASA at ACI Worldwide, both emphasise the critical nature of this partnership in addressing the complexities and disruptions within the payments industry. They highlight the strategic alliance’s role in providing cutting-edge technology that fosters growth and innovation and ensures operational efficiency and profitability for clients in the region. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to driving digital transformation and offering resilient, high-quality payment systems that meet customers’ evolving needs.
Conclusion: A New Era for Digital Payments
The partnership between ACI Worldwide and Arab Financial Services heralds a new era of digital payments in the Middle East, setting a benchmark for innovation, efficiency, and security in the financial sector. This collaboration reflects the dynamic nature of the global payments landscape and showcases the potential for strategic alliances to catalyse significant advancements in digital payment technologies and customer experiences.
