Upfront Partners with Mastercard to Expand Commercial Card Services for MENA SMEs
Upfront, a financial operations platform serving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has partnered with Mastercard to introduce commercial card payment capabilities. The collaboration aims to provide SME customers with more flexibility in managing working capital and business expenses by integrating Mastercard’s digital payment solutions into Upfront's existing financial tools, such as accounts receivable and cash flow management. The new feature will allow eligible SMEs access to approved financing through a commercial card for use on supplier bills and operating costs. The initial rollout is expected in the UAE before potential expansion across MENA regions, subject to regulatory approvals and market readiness. Mastercard's involvement aligns with its broader initiative 'Built Small. Moving Strong,' which supports SMEs by connecting them with fintech tools and financial services. Upfront CEO Anas Qudah emphasized that this partnership enhances business finance responsiveness for SMEs, while Onur Kursun of Mastercard highlighted the combination of innovation and secure payment solutions to improve control over business spending.
