Mastercard is supporting the launch of Samsung Pay in Morocco, bringing contactless mobile payments to eligible cardholders at participating banks.
Users will be able to pay with compatible Samsung smartphones and smartwatches without presenting a physical card.
The service uses Mastercard’s tokenization technology, which replaces sensitive card details with a unique digital token during payment transactions. This means the actual card number is not shared with merchants when customers pay through a compatible device.
The launch expands the mobile payment options available to consumers in Morocco and adds Samsung Pay to the country’s growing digital payments ecosystem. Mastercard has been working with local financial institutions and technology companies to extend access to digital payment services.
Samsung Pay relies on Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES), the company’s tokenization platform already operating in the Moroccan market.
When a card is added to a digital wallet, its payment details are replaced with a token that can be used for transactions. Authentication procedures and risk-based security measures provide additional protection during the payment process.
Mohamed Benomar, Mastercard’s Country Manager for North West Africa, said the Samsung Pay launch was another step towards making digital payments more accessible in Morocco. He described the initiative as part of a broader effort to make payments simpler, faster and more secure.
The rollout also supports Mastercard’s global target of tokenizing 100% of online transactions by 2030. The company is working towards this goal with banks and technology partners.
Banks and merchants gain another payment option
For consumers, Samsung Pay means they can use a compatible Samsung device instead of taking out a physical card. Customers will be able to make supported contactless payments at merchants that accept this type of transaction.
Participating banks can offer the service to eligible Mastercard cardholders as an additional digital payment option. Merchants, meanwhile, gain another way to accept payments from customers using Samsung devices.
Hongseok Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Maghreb Arab, said the company wants everyday payments to be as straightforward as using a smartphone or smartwatch. He also highlighted the contribution of Mastercard and the participating banks to bringing the service to Morocco.
To encourage adoption, Mastercard and Samsung are preparing a joint campaign in the country. It will combine promotional activities with information for consumers on how to make payments using compatible Samsung devices.
The companies expect the initiative to help more people become familiar with mobile payments and support their wider use in everyday transactions.
