Mastercard and LiaPay Launch Prepaid Cards to Support Earned Wage Access in the Gulf
Mastercard has entered into a strategic partnership with LiaPay, a fast-growing Gulf salary app owned by fintech firm Liabify, to issue prepaid Mastercard Platinum cards to employees across four Gulf markets. This initiative aims to provide workers with instant access to their earned wages ahead of the traditional payday, allowing them to use the funds for daily digital payments and money transfers.
Innovative Financial Integration and WPS Compliance
The ecosystem integrates Earned Wage Access (EWA) and digital employee wallets directly into payroll systems. This allows workers to access a portion of their earned income without relying on loans or credit products, while fully complying with local Wage Protection Systems (WPS) and leveraging regulated financial institutions.
Expansion Roadmap and Operational Partners
The model is set to launch first in the UAE and Qatar, followed by expansion into Saudi Arabia and Oman, with plans to scale across the rest of the GCC and emerging markets. The LiaPay platform operates through Mawarid Finance as its BIN Sponsor and Paymentology as its payment processor. Additionally, the platform has expanded its partner network through agreements with DEEL and Anvin ERP to serve over 200,000 employees.
Future Plans and Financial Inclusion
Upcoming plans include developing an employee loyalty and rewards platform, as well as utilizing Mastercard Move technologies to enable cross-border transfers. This collaboration supports Mastercard's broader effort to enhance financial inclusion and financial health for individuals and small businesses across the region.
