UAE: Network‑Magnati Merger to Create Mideast’s Largest Fintech Powerhouse

On July 10, 2025, Network International, the Dubai‑based payments giant, and Magnati, the Abu Dhabi‑based payments platform, announced they have secured key regulatory approvals for a major merger. The combined entity—backed by a Brookfield Asset Management–led consortium—is expected to finalize the transaction in Q3 2025. Once complete, this union is projected to become the largest fintech company in the Middle East and Africa, handling more than $400 billion in total payment volume (TPV) and serving customers across 50+ markets.

Scale and Reach: A Regional Powerhouse

The merged enterprise will support:

• Over 250 financial institutions
• Approximately 240,000 businesses
• More than 20 million cardholders
• Footprint spanning 50+ countries across the MEA

This scale positions the firm not only as a regional leader but also as a formidable player on the global fintech stage.

Growth Drivers: Why Now?

Several converging trends are accelerating the need for large-scale payment platforms:

1. Rapid digital payments adoption: The MEA region payment market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 16.2% from 2025–2030, supported by rising smartphone/internet penetration, expanding e‑commerce, government digital initiatives, and growing use of mobile wallets and contactless payments.
2. Market consolidation for efficiency: By combining efforts, Network and Magnati aim to unlock operational synergies, cost efficiencies, and enhanced innovation capabilities.
3. Strategic ownership alignment: Brookfield already owns a majority stake in Magnati and acquired Network International in 2024, enabling seamless integration and strategic realignment.

Service Portfolio: Building a Unified Stack

Together, the merged company offers an expansive suite of fintech services:

• Digital payments (merchant acquiring, issuer processing, e‑commerce)
• Data and analytics
• SME lending and embedded finance
• Advanced fraud detection and security solutions

Network brings robust pan‑MEA acquiring and issuing infrastructure, while Magnati offers intelligent merchant tech, AI‑powered data monetization (e.g. its “Super Surprises” tool), and rich UAE merchant relationships.

Strategic Partnerships and Innovation

Prior to the merger, Magnati had already established numerous notable partnerships that will enrich the new unified platform:

• NPCI International (NIPL): enabling UPI QR‑based payments across its POS network, starting with outlets like Dubai Duty Free—boosting service appeal to Indian travelers.
• Al Etihad Payments (AEP): integrating their real‑time payment platform “Aani” into Magnati’s merchant base for instant 24/7 settlements.
• RAKBANK: introduced embedded finance and underwriting solutions based on real‑time POS data, offering SMEs seamless access to loans tied to sales flows.
• TerraPay: enabled acceptance of African mobile wallets at Magnati terminals, expanding cross‑border payment capabilities for tourists and expatriates.

These integrations underline Magnati’s ambitions beyond pure payments, setting groundwork for embedded finance, cross‑border flows, and greater digital inclusion.

Market Context: Why It Matters

Regional Digital Transformation

The merger comes as Gulf governments push for cashless economies and broader financial inclusion, investing in infrastructure like Al Etihad Payments and national QR/payment rails. For digital transformation initiatives in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, such a unified fintech platform is a strategic enabler .

Global Investors Eye the Gulf

With Brookfield’s €2.7 billion acquisition of Network in 2024, and existing ownership in Magnati, the consortium’s strategy is to build scale rapidly and deliver returns through growth and efficiency. Their flexible structure also allows for possible bolt‑on acquisitions or technology ventures in the region and globally .

Future IPO Potential

Market watchers expect that reflecting the ambition behind the merger, the unified entity may one day consider a public listing, capitalizing on its scale and market leadership. Indeed, previous discussions hinted at a potential IPO for Magnati or a combined fintech champion .

Leadership and Transition

Murat Cagri Suzer, Group CEO of Network International, described the merger as:

“Pivotal moment … creating the region’s most capable fintech platform … poised to unlock long‑term growth with innovation”

The integration will be phased, with both Network International and Magnati brands maintained initially to preserve client trust, while backend functions gradually unify in operations, risk, tech, and product roadmaps.

Challenges and Opportunities

Integration Complexity

Bringing together two established companies across multiple countries and hundreds of service offerings will require careful management. Harmonizing tech stacks, compliance regimes, and corporate cultures presents a major operational challenge. A deliberate, phased approach helps mitigate disruption .

Competition Intensifies

The fintech race in MEA is accelerating. Start‑ups, digital banks, and regional players are innovating quickly. The combined scale of Network‑Magnati offers an edge, though rivals like Astra Tech and other “super‑app” initiatives are also scaling capabilities.

Regulatory and Security Risk

Handling over $400 billion in TPV, with embedded lending and cross-border flows, means regulatory oversight will become more stringent. Ensuring data security, AML compliance, and fraud prevention at scale is essential—especially given increasing scrutiny across jurisdictions.

Strategic Outlook: What’s Next?

SME Growth & Lending

SMEs stand to benefit from integrated embedded finance offerings, leveraging POS transaction analytics to access real‑time credit. The RAKBANK partnership illustrates the potential model scaling across markets.

Government Collaborations

By aligning with initiatives like Aani (national instant payments) and e‑government payment platforms, the merged firm can deepen its role as a digital transformation partner to federal and local governments across the UAE and other regions .

Cross‑Border & Tourism Flows

The TerraPay and NPCI/UPI integrations enable seamless payments for global visitors—especially African and Indian travelers. Scaling these capabilities across Magnati’s terminals introduces a borderless experience potentially replicated in other GCC markets .

Data & AI Monetization

Magnati’s AI-based data tools—like Super Surprises—can be leveraged across the enlarged merchant base, creating tailored commerce offers, analytics services, and co-branded marketing—a revenue stream far beyond traditional payments processing .

Broader Implications for the UAE and MEA

Strengthening the UAE’s Fintech Hub Status

By anchoring a MEA-scale fintech champion, the UAE solidifies its position as a financial innovator and regional digital hub. For ecosystem players—from banks, regulators, startups, to policymakers—this merger establishes a critical axis to drive digital-first growth across industries.

Enabling Financial Inclusion

The union accelerates financial inclusion goals by bringing digital payments and instant credit to underserved SMEs and retail segments. When properly executed, embedded finance can bridge access gaps in both urban and periphery markets.

Attracting Global Capital

Brookfield’s investment and confidence send a strong signal. That confidence, combined with possible future IPO or expansion plans, will attract further capital and possibly spur a new wave of fintech consolidation or public listings in the UAE.

Summing Up: A Defining Moment in Gulf Fintech

The Network International–Magnati merger marks a defining milestone in fintech consolidation across the Middle East and Africa. With more than $400 billion in projected transaction volume, an expanded portfolio spanning payments, lending, data analytics, fraud prevention, and operations across 50+ markets, the entity will command unprecedented scale in the region.

By combining infrastructure scale, merchant network strength, and innovative SaaS and AI offerings, the merged firm sets a new benchmark. And under Brookfield-led ownership and phased integration, it has flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions, deepen government/super-app collaborations, or seek public listing in due course.

For customers, governments, SMEs, and investors, this consolidation represents a leap forward—but it will require successful execution across operations, technology, compliance, and M&A strategy. If managed well, this could usher in a new era of pan‑regional fintech infrastructure, unlocking transformative potential for digital economies across MEA.

As digital payments and fintech infrastructure evolve rapidly across the Middle East, having a strong online presence has become more important than ever for financial institutions, e-commerce platforms, and tech startups. Companies looking to align with the innovation wave sparked by the Network-Magnati merger are investing heavily in user-friendly websites, seamless payment integrations, and responsive design. For businesses aiming to stand out in this competitive environment, partnering with professionals in web design Dubai ensures their platforms reflect both trust and technological excellence. Choosing the best web design company in Dubai can empower fintechs and merchants alike to attract, engage, and retain a tech-savvy customer base.