Amman, Jordan (14 January 2015)

Emerging Markets Payments (EMP) today announced that it will be shortly offering MasterCard acquiring services in Jordan. 

EMP is currently the largest acquirer of card transactions at Point of Sale (POS) terminals in Jordan, accounting for over 80% of all card transactions. It currently acquires and processes VISA, Amex, Diners and China Union Pay (CUP) and will shortly be launching acceptance of the Japanese credit card scheme, JCB. The launch of MasterCard acquiring will mean that EMP is the only card acquiring and processing company in Jordan to offer all the major schemes.

"I am proud and delighted to announce this launch" said Hassan Mayassi, CEO of EMP Jordan.  "Our network of Point of Sale terminals is the largest and most comprehensive in Jordan and as a result of our pro-active approach to encouraging consumers to make use of our world-class electronic payments systems, we have seen the volumes of transactions on our network increase by over 50% since 2011.  From today, all MasterCard payment solutions will be accepted at a great many more places, given that we have a fleet of over 15,000 terminals, than is currently the case.  In fact, many of our customers have been encouraging us to add MasterCard to the other brands that we support."

Paul Edwards, Executive Chairman of the EMP Group, added, "This move has the potential to transform the electronic payments market, which is already growing rapidly as a result of the vision of the Government and Central Bank of Jordan, and the willingness of global players like EMP to invest heavily in state-of-the-art payments systems and infrastructure. Now that MasterCard can be used reliably in many more places, more banks will choose to offer these cards to their customers.  With more MasterCard payment solutions in the market, more merchants will want to accept them as a means of payment.  As for the Jordanian merchants, the announcement means they need only one POS terminal and all their card business will be covered in a single comprehensive daily report, which they can access over our online portal. We are confident that Jordan is destined to become a recognized leader in electronic payment usage in the region as well as in emerging markets generally."

"As part of our ongoing commitment to provide simple, safe and secure payment solutions to consumers and merchants in Jordan, we value this partnership with EMP as a step to engage with a broader range of merchants and drive wider acceptance of MasterCard payment solutions in the market," said Basel El Tell, Market Manager - Levant, MasterCard. "The wide availability of EMP POS terminals across Jordan, both online and in-store, means that paying with a MasterCard payment solution in Jordan is now easier and more convenient."

EMP offers a wide range of innovative payments products and services in Jordan and across Africa and the Middle East.  In Jordan alone, EMP has recently launched electronic bill payments in association with Madfoo3@com, installment sales as well as EMPlus, an innovative loyalty solution, to add to the core card hosting and processing services.

-Ends-

About Emerging Markets Payments (EMP)
Emerging Markets Payments (EMP) is the leading electronic payments processing company in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The Company covers all elements of the payments value chain, from issuing, acquiring and switching through to card procurement and personalisation. It also covers all the major channels, being card, mobile and Internet. EMP is currently partner to over 130 banks and 30,000 retailers across 45 countries in MEA. The company also offers a full range of eGovernment solutions. EMP offices are located in Cairo, Egypt; Amman, Jordan; Lagos, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya; Dubai, UAE; Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.   For more information, please visit: www.emp-group.com.

About MasterCard
MasterCard (NSYE: MA), www.mastercard.com is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard's products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter: @MasterCardMEA and @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the MEA Engagement Bureau.

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© Press Release 2015