PayPal launches in Maldives through Ooredoo m-Faisaa partnership

PayPal services were introduced in the Maldives on Sunday, opening a long-awaited channel for Maldivians to send and receive international payments.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu launched the service at a ceremony at Barcelos Nasandhura in Male. The service is offered through a partnership between PayPal and Ooredoo Maldives, with payments handled through the operator's m-Faisaa wallet.

Under the arrangement, freelancers, small businesses, and families that depend on cross-border transactions can receive funds directly into their m-Faisaa wallet.

The Maldives Monetary Authority issued the inward remittance license that enabled the service. According to PSM News, MMA Governor Ahmed Munawwar handed over the license on 15 October 2025. PayPal's testing phase was carried out earlier this year.

PayPal is one of the world's largest online payment platforms. The company says its network serves more than 200 markets. The Maldives was not previously included, which meant that Maldivians faced difficulties sending and receiving money internationally.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the launch fulfilled a campaign pledge. He said the greatest challenge facing Maldivian creators and innovators had been the lack of easy ways to share their skills with international markets and earn from them. He said he had pursued services such as PayPal to address that gap.

Economic Development, Transport, and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed said integrating PayPal into the Maldives removed a major barrier to Maldivian participation in the global digital economy. He said the goal was to give young people and women unhindered access to the digital sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, PayPal Vice President and General Manager Amir Villiani said establishing trusted financial transactions in the Maldives opened an important door for people and businesses to connect. He described it as a step linked to the government's wider vision.

Ooredoo Maldives Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Shadi Ghawasmi said the company had worked for about 20 years to bring leading international digital services to the Maldives. He said the PayPal rollout was a further step in building a digital economy.

Users will be able to move US dollars from a PayPal wallet to an m-Faisaa USD pocket, transfer the funds to a bank, and withdraw US dollars in cash. m-Faisaa is not expected to charge for these transactions. PayPal's own fees apply and are published on its website.