Disrupting Traditional Payments: Abdulaziz Al Jouf on the Future of Fintech in the Middle East

What does it take to create payment infrastructure from the ground up in one of the world’s fastest-growing fintech regions? Recorded at Money 20/20 in Riyadh, PayTabs CEO and Founder, Abdulaziz Al Jouf, reflects on how the company helped establish one of the Middle East’s earliest fintechs. We explore the challenges of launching in a cash-reliant market, the role of cultural understanding in earning trust, and how partnerships with banks and regulators created the foundation for secure growth. From embedded finance to cross-border expansion, this conversation looks at how PayTabs is shaping the next chapter of digital payments in the Middle East. Discussion Highlights: Building in a Cash-First Region: How PayTabs addressed the behavioral, infrastructural, and trust challenges of early digital payments in the Middle East. Cultural Insight as Strategy: How understanding merchants, consumers, and local dynamics became a competitive advantage. Partnerships and Regulation: The role of banks, regulators, and ecosystem players in enabling secure, sustainable fintech growth. Cross-Market Expansion: Lessons from scaling across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, and Morocco — and what it takes to serve diverse markets. The Future of Middle East Payments: Emerging trends including embedded finance, cross-border commerce, and new digital payment experiences. Advice for Entrepreneurs: Abdulaziz shares grounded guidance on market entry, resilience, and developing trust. About Fintech Files: Join us on Fintech Files from BCG Platinion as we explore the cutting-edge trends disrupting Fintech today. From NeoBanks to cryptocurrency, we delve into the dynamic landscape of financial technology through insightful conversations with global disruptors. We’ll uncover the most groundbreaking trends shaping the future of Fintech and examine their impact on the financial world. We focus on real-world examples, making financial technology relatable and accessible to both Fintech enthusiasts and professionals alike. Hosted by Annika Melchert , a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in the Middle East, and Nora Hocke , a Principal currently based at BCG Platinion in Sydney, our hosts bring expertise in tech transformations, platform architecture, and digital innovation. Annika and Nora work with Fintechs and incumbent banks, and together they offer unique insights into the evolving financial landscape, drawing on their wealth of experience with leading organizations. Bianca Lopes is an entrepreneur and economist from Brazil with a background in digital identity and biometrics. Having supported over 40 financial institutions and eight governments, Bianca’s work reshapes technology, reimagines identity, and drives innovation.