Customers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are increasingly demanding payment methods that deliver both flexibility and transparency. To ensure they’re satisfied, Amazon Payment Services, the digital payments firm, has added Tamara, the Saudi-based, Shariah-compliant buy now, pay later (BNPL) provider, to its suite of payment options.
Enhancing the customer journey by meeting expectations, Tamara‘s addition to Amazon Payment Services‘ offering will allow businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to offer flexible payments to their consumers. Specific sectors that are set to benefit from the partnership include airlines, e-commerce, healthcare, insurance, education, fashion and lifestyle.
Tamara’s integration into Amazon Payment Services’ portfolio represents a significant expansion of the company’s affordable payment options. Amazon Payment Services already offers a range of BNPL services and credit card instalment options in partnership with more than 25 banks across the UAE, KSA, Egypt, and Jordan, allowing customers to split payments over terms of up to 36 months.
With Tamara’s inclusion, Amazon Payment Services can now cater to a wider audience, including customers who prefer to use either debit or credit cards.
Splitting payments into four instalments
Peter George, managing director of Amazon Payment Services MENA, said: “As more consumers across the region look for affordable ways to manage their purchases, BNPL solutions are becoming more and more indispensable for merchants.
“Partnering up with Tamara, a leading split payments provider, was a natural next step in our commitment to empowering diverse businesses as they navigate today’s digital payments space. With this expansion of our offering, we are thrilled to unlock new revenue streams for businesses, help them deliver more value to their customers, and ultimately grow their online business.”
Customers in these sectors can now split their payments into four equal instalments. In turn, this will help merchants boost sales and reduce cart abandonment, which will ultimately enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, they will also experience larger basket sizes, improved conversion rates, and an enhanced shopping experience for their customers.
Adoption of BPNL
A major driver behind the partnership is the rising demand for flexible payment options in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In KSA, BNPL has seen strong consumer uptake, with shoppers seeking ways to spread payments over time. Tamara’s Sharia-compliant offerings provide transparent, accessible solutions aligned with local values. Likewise, UAE consumers benefit from flexible payments with no late fees, enabling more confident big-ticket purchases.
Sami Louali, EVP and chief revenue officer at Tamara, added: “At Tamara, we’re focused on creating a payment experience that benefits both businesses and consumers. Partnering with Amazon Payment Services allows us to expand our reach across the UAE and Saudi Arabia—supporting business growth and delivering a hassle-free, flexible payment solution for consumers.
“This partnership marks an exciting milestone in our mission to meet the changing needs of merchants and their customers while driving loyalty and sales.”
This partnership ensures that merchants in the UAE and KSA have the tools they need to offer a flexible payment experience to their customers. With a single integration, businesses gain access to a wide range of payment options, advanced reporting dashboards, and streamlined reconciliation processes, keeping them ahead of the curve in the fast-paced digital payments landscape.
