Bringing Egyptian consumers a secure, easy way to pay
February 19, 2025 | By Mohamed Assem
Over the past two decades, we at Mastercard have been actively involved in introducing cutting-edge digital payment solutions to the Egyptian market in line with the government’s vision for a financially inclusive future. In a latest move, we joined forces with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and Egyptian Banks Company (EBC) to bring Apple Pay to the country’s consumers, providing them with an easier, more secure way to pay.
With a simple double-click, customers can use their iPhone or Apple Watch near a payment terminal to make secure, contactless payments. These transactions are authenticated using Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode, along with a unique, one-time dynamic security code. Apple Pay is now accepted in Egypt’s grocery stores, pharmacies, taxis, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores and many more places.
Customers can also use Apple Pay on iPhone, iPad and Mac to make faster and more convenient purchases in apps or on supporting merchant websites without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in card details, shipping and billing information.
The solution makes it easier to pay for food and grocery deliveries, online shopping, transportation and parking, among other things.Security and privacy are central to the solutions provided by both Apple Pay and Mastercard. When customers link a credit or debit card to their Apple Pay, the actual card number is not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard, certified chip in the device.
Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, customers simply need to open the Wallet app, tap + and follow the steps to add credit or debit cards. Once they add a card to their iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac, they can start using Apple Pay on that device right away. Apple Pay is available to customers of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), Banque Misr and Commercial International Bank (CIB).We are excited to enable Egypt’s consumers to reap the benefits of this innovative solution as part of our efforts to drive the adoption of digital payments in the country.
