Maldives to get PayPal access next year
The long-awaited rollout will allow Maldivian businesses and freelancers to receive international payments, marking a major step toward a digital economy
MALE, Maldives (MNTV) — PayPal will launch its services in Maldives next year, ending years of restricted access to global online payment platforms for the island nation’s businesses and freelancers.
The rollout will be made possible through a partnership with Ooredoo Fintech, a subsidiary of the Qatari telecommunications group Ooredoo, which operates mobile and digital services across Maldives and the Middle East.
The company said the collaboration will allow transfers between PayPal and Ooredoo M-Money accounts, enabling Maldivian users to make and receive international payments with greater ease.
“This marks an important step toward expanding financial inclusion and connecting local entrepreneurs to global markets,” Ooredoo Fintech said in a statement.
For years, Maldivian freelancers, digital creators, and small enterprises have struggled to access international payment systems, limiting participation in e-commerce and online trade. The new PayPal integration is expected to remove those barriers, allowing users to sell services abroad and receive funds directly in local accounts.
According to the Maldivian Economic Ministry, the government and financial regulators have been in discussions with PayPal for more than two years to facilitate the launch.
The Maldives Monetary Authority previously confirmed that PayPal’s earlier absence was due to business considerations rather than regulatory obstacles.
Analysts say PayPal’s entry reflects growing interest in South Asia’s emerging digital economies, where demand for cross-border payment tools has surged alongside remote work and online entrepreneurship.
For Maldives, the launch is expected to bolster small-business exports and strengthen participation in the global digital marketplace.
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