MasterCard Overhauls International Operations, Expands to the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe

Mastercard has reaffirmed its commitment to the UAE and the region by expanding its regional footprint and announcing a series of leadership changes designed to advance the company’s presence and operations while building on its 35-year growth and innovation journey.

Mastercard has been at the forefront of digital transformation and payment technology innovation during this time. Through its multi-rail network, the company has introduced hundreds of product capabilities from its regional headquarters, including a number of ‘global-firsts’ that have been exported to Mastercard’s global network.

Mastercard’s EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region will include 81 of the 210 markets in which the company operates globally as of January 1, 2022. Mastercard now has a presence in 22 countries across the region, with established geo hubs in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, Ukraine, Kenya, and other markets, in line with the company’s ambition to strengthen local presence in the markets in which it operates.

Raghu Malhotra is now Co-President of International Markets.

Malhotra, who is currently President for the Middle East and Africa, will be Co-President of Mastercard’s International Markets. Malhotra’s new responsibilities include advancing business strategy, sales, business development, product management, and customer and regulatory engagements across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Malhotra has held a variety of leadership positions across geographies and functions since joining Mastercard in 2000. He has led the company’s global strategy across the Middle East and Africa for the last five years, delivering many ‘global-firsts’ that empower millions of people and businesses through interoperable mobile ecosystems and advance the region’s digital ambitions.

Such initiatives have resulted in the establishment of Mastercard Labs to drive innovative solutions for financial inclusion, as well as the launch of unique micro lending programs alongside cutting-edge QR technology and security solutions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. These efforts, fueled by strategic public and private sector partnerships, have played a critical role in realizing the region’s digital goals.

Dimitrios Dosis has been appointed Regional President for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Dimitrios Dosis will be the President of the newly realigned region of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA). This expanded region brings together 12 new markets with agile, high-growth potential.

Dosis previously served as president of Mastercard Advisors, the company’s professional services division, where he accelerated the use of AI and other predictive technologies to advance the team’s industry-proven problem-solving skills.

Advisors uses data-driven insights, analytics, and consulting to assist retail and banking clients in resolving pressing business issues and advancing strategic priorities such as digital transformation, card portfolio optimization, and operational efficiency. Dimitrios will continue to serve on the Mastercard Global Management Committee in his new role.

Yasemin Bedir will serve as Division President for Turkey and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Yasemin Bedir, who is currently executive vice president for Community Institutions and Processors in North American Markets, will lead the newly formed Turkey & CIS division. Bedir joined Mastercard in 2007, serving in a variety of leadership roles across multiple markets.

“In recent years, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) has emerged as a focal point for Mastercard’s global innovation, digital transformation, and financial inclusion efforts,” said Raghu Malhotra, Co-President International Markets at Mastercard.

Today, this region serves as a global center of excellence and a jumping-off point for deploying strategic partnerships and new business models across our global network. Looking ahead, the convergence of digital technologies, as well as the positive impact of public and private partnerships on the development of the digital economy, place Mastercard in an excellent position to accelerate this progress.

Under Dimitrios’ leadership, the region is in very capable hands to continue accelerating its growth and unlocking opportunities for more people in more places for future generations.”

“Here we have a tremendous opportunity to build on the great work of the regional Mastercard team,” said Dimitrios Dosis, President Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Mastercard. Our expanded regional footprint will allow us to double down on our business, innovate with a digital first approach, and build a legacy of partnerships that will fuel our vision of a more progressive and inclusive world.”

All appointments take effect on January 1, 2022.