News Desk
MALE’ — Amir Valliani, PayPal’s Vice President and General Manager for the Asia-Pacific region, called the Maldives launch a reflection of the government’s broader digital ambitions, as PayPal services officially went live in the country on Monday through an integration with Ooredoo’s digital wallet mFaisaa.
“The Government’s Maldives 2.0 vision reflects a clear commitment to expanding trusted digital connectivity, and we are proud to contribute to those ambitions through this partnership,” Valliani said. Writing on LinkedIn after the event, he described it as “a privilege to join the Government of Maldives and our partners at Ooredoo Fintech in Male’ to mark an important milestone in the country’s digital economy journey.”
The launch ends years of restricted access to the platform and gives Maldivian freelancers, entrepreneurs and small businesses a direct channel to receive international payments for the first time. The integration allows users to link their PayPal and mFaisaa accounts, transfer USD payments from PayPal into their mFaisaa wallet, and access those funds locally. Ooredoo Fintech, which built the integration, said it would let local entrepreneurs receive USD payments directly from international customers and participate more confidently in global commerce.
The launch was marked at a ceremony at Barcelo Nasandhura in Male’, attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed, and senior executives from PayPal and Ooredoo.
President Muizzu described the launch as the fulfilment of a promise he made before taking office. “Today, through the tireless efforts of my administration and through our partners, the seamless integration of PayPal services in the Maldives opens a new chapter in our economic history,” he said, framing the milestone as part of his Vision 2040 roadmap to transform the Maldives into a high-income nation. “By introducing world-class connectivity alongside trusted global brands like PayPal, we are signalling to international markets that the Maldives is a sophisticated, predictable frontier for global capital.”
Ahmad Al-Naema, Group Regional CEO of Ooredoo Group, said the integration reflected the company’s commitment to building digital infrastructure for emerging economies. “Enabling PayPal services in the Maldives through mFaisaa reflects that vision in action by expanding access to trusted digital financial services, unlocking new economic opportunities, and supporting the country’s broader digital transformation ambitions.”
Shadi Qawasmi, Managing Director and CEO of Ooredoo Maldives, said the partnership was about more than payments infrastructure. “By enabling PayPal services through mFaisaa, we are helping entrepreneurs, SMEs, freelancers, and creators take their ideas, products, and services beyond our borders. This is more than a payments partnership; it is about empowering economic growth, fostering innovation, and building a Digital Maldives that is connected to the world.”
Mirko Giacco, CEO of Ooredoo Fintech International, said the move connects local financial ecosystems with major global payment platforms, making it easier for individuals and small businesses to access opportunities beyond traditional market boundaries.
Muizzu said the integration would allow a guesthouse operator to receive deposits directly from international travellers, a dive school to secure overseas bookings, a local artisan to sell products abroad, and a freelance developer to receive payment for international work directly into their account. “Geography will never again limit your economic destiny,” he said.
The launch comes as the government pushes a target for the digital economy to contribute at least 15 percent of GDP by 2030, alongside other initiatives including the Dhivaru submarine cable project with Google and a Creator Hub building in Male’ expected to open on 11 November.
