Telecom
Mobile Financial Services in the GCC and Yemen: Bridging Inclusion Gaps Through Telecom and Fintech Innovation
Date:
14 Jan 2026
Country:
GCC
Industry:
Telecom
Number of pages:
35
SUMMARY:
As digital innovation continues to reshape financial services across the GCC and Yemen, mobile payment solutions have emerged as an increasingly important channel for facilitating everyday transactions and expanding access to financial services. In GCC markets, strong telecom infrastructure, high smartphone penetration, and supportive regulatory frameworks have enabled the widespread introduction and adoption of mobile wallets and mobile money services. In contrast, markets such as Yemen operate under far more constrained economic and institutional conditions, where mobile payments often serve as a critical alternative to traditional banking. Examining how mobile payment systems function across these diverse environments is essential to understanding the evolving role of digital financial services in the region. In this report, Arab Advisors Group aims to address the following questions:
- What types of mobile payment services are available across the GCC and Yemen?
- Who are the principal telecom and non-telecom providers operating in these markets?
- How do mobile payment services differ in terms of functionality, fee structures, and user accessibility?
- How do telecom-led mobile money platforms compare with fintech-led mobile wallets?
- To what extent do these services enable access to core financial use cases?
- What recent trends can be observed in the development and adoption of mobile payment solutions across the region?
