Ooredoo Fintech has announced a partnership with Western Union, integrating the global money transfer service into its Ooredoo Money app. The initiative launches first in Qatar, with plans to expand to other Ooredoo Fintech markets across the Middle East and North Africa.
With Western Union now available through Ooredoo Money, customers in Qatar gain flexibility in sending and receiving funds, combining the convenience of a trusted digital platform with the reach of a leading international financial network. The integration is expected to empower users with greater choice and faster, more reliable cross-border transfers.
The move is one of the most significant steps yet in Qatar’s financial technology sector, signalling heightened competition and greater convenience for expatriates and local users alike.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to providing customers with more choice, convenience, and access to essential financial services,” Aziz Fakhroo, Chairman of Ooredoo Fintech, said.
What You Need to Know
Under the arrangement, customers in Qatar can now send and receive money through Western Union’s extensive global network without leaving the Ooredoo Money app, an enhancement that adds substantial choice for users already engaging with digital financial services through their mobile devices. Ooredoo Fintech says the service will roll out to its other markets in the region soon.
The partnership reflects Ooredoo Fintech’s ongoing commitment to digital financial inclusion and enhancing access to modern financial services across its markets. The company has increasingly focused on leveraging technology to provide innovative solutions that simplify everyday financial transactions for consumers and businesses alike.
“By integrating Western Union into the Ooredoo Money app, we are giving users greater freedom in sending and receiving money in Qatar, with plans to expand to across the region. It’s a key step in delivering the flexible, best-in-class digital financial services our customers deserve,” Fakhroo said.
By combining Ooredoo Money’s trusted platform with Western Union’s extensive global reach, the partnership is positioned to simplify cross-border remittances, improve transaction speed, and enhance the overall user experience for customers across the Middle East and North Africa.
“I am delighted then that today’s announcement will enable Ooredoo customers to connect to their families and loved ones across the world seamlessly, through Western Union’s reliable and fast financial solutions. As we launch our partnership in Qatar, one of the Middle East’s main innovation and fintech hubs, I am looking forward to the expansion of the partnership across the region,” Giovanni Angelini, President for Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia–Pacific at Western Union, said.
A Growing Digital Finance Market in Qatar
The partnership comes at a time when Qatar’s digital finance ecosystem is accelerating. Nearly the entire population now uses digital channels for financial services, with smartphone and internet penetration effectively universal and contactless payments accounting for more than 96 per cent of in‑store transactions.
Such figures reflect a broader shift towards digital wallets and mobile payments in everyday life, from taxis to retail and service industries.
According to fintech analysts, the Qatar Central Bank’s fintech strategy, including open banking frameworks and multiple licensed digital wallet providers, has driven significant uptake of digital financial services across diverse customer segments.
Platforms such as Ooredoo Money are increasingly used for expatriate remittances and cross‑border transfers, linking local wallets to international accounts and services.
What This Means
While financial inclusion in Qatar is high by regional standards, experts say the addition of Western Union services to Ooredoo Money points to a broader demand for integrated digital tools that serve both local and global payment needs.
The partnership with Western Union also positions Ooredoo Money to tap into the country’s large expatriate community, which often relies on fast, reliable remittances to support families abroad.
By embedding global transfer services into a mobile wallet, Ooredoo Fintech aims to simplify what has historically been a fragmented and costly process for migrant workers and other users.
Looking ahead, experts say the success of this initiative will depend on user adoption, competitive pricing, and continued innovation. As fintech adoption deepens in Qatar and beyond, such integrations are likely to shape how consumers and businesses manage money in an increasingly digital world.
Talking Points
It is notable that Ooredoo Fintech has partnered with Western Union, integrating a leading global money transfer service into the Ooredoo Money app, starting in Qatar. This addresses a key challenge for users seeking faster, more reliable, and seamless cross-border remittances.
The integration positions Ooredoo Money as a more comprehensive digital financial platform, providing customers with expanded options for sending and receiving funds without leaving the app. This is particularly valuable for expatriates and local residents who rely on digital channels for everyday transactions and international transfers.
At Techparley, we see this as part of a broader trend where fintech partnerships can accelerate digital financial inclusion, combining local expertise with global networks to deliver real value to users across the Middle East and North Africa.
By connecting Ooredoo Money’s platform with Western Union’s global reach, users can now manage domestic and international payments from a single interface, improving convenience and efficiency for individuals and small businesses alike.
However, adoption and impact will depend on user education, competitive pricing, and awareness of the service’s benefits. Ensuring the integration is user-friendly and accessible will be key to its success.
As the partnership expands across the region, we see opportunities for further collaboration, innovation, and market penetration. With strategic support, Ooredoo Money and Western Union together have the potential to redefine digital remittances and enhance financial empowerment across Qatar and the wider region.
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