Fintech giant Paytm, a flagship brand under One97 Communications Ltd., has announced the appointment of Ramana Kumar as Chief Executive Officer for its Middle East business. The move signifies Paytm’s strategic commitment to scaling its digital payments footprint across the Gulf region, starting with the UAE.
Kumar, a seasoned leader with more than two decades of experience in financial services, digital payments, and banking innovation, is expected to play a pivotal role in building Paytm’s presence in the region.
Before joining Paytm, Kumar was the founding CEO of Magnati, a UAE-based payments subsidiary of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB). Under his leadership, Magnati became a key player in the regional fintech ecosystem, known for transforming traditional payment infrastructures into modern, digital-first platforms. He also served as Executive Vice President at FAB, where he was instrumental in developing their digital banking and payments strategy.
His earlier roles include Managing Director and Head of Global Transaction Banking at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), where he led the creation of several innovative and secure transaction banking products.
In his new role, Kumar will lead Paytm’s expansion across the UAE and the broader Middle East, leveraging Paytm’s proprietary mobile payment technologies—refined through years of success in the Indian market—to meet the unique demands of the local financial ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ramana, who brings a wealth of experience in merchant payments and digital banking. His regional expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we introduce Paytm’s world-class fintech solutions in the Middle East,” said Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder & CEO, Paytm.
“I am honored to join Paytm at such a pivotal time,” said Ramana Kumar, CEO – Middle East, Paytm. “There is strong momentum for digital transformation in this region. We’re committed to building secure, scalable, and locally-relevant solutions that help accelerate this shift.”
As Paytm aims to collaborate with regional regulators and fintech partners, Kumar’s leadership will be key to unlocking new growth opportunities and shaping a next-generation digital payments ecosystem in the Middle East.
Also Read:
Gensol Engineering Under Multi-Agency Scrutiny
South Korea Unveils $23 Billion Chip Program Amid Escalating U.S.-China Trade Tensions
India’s Leading Logistics Companies by Revenue
June 24, 2025
