Ali Bailoun
Regional General Manager for KSA, Oman and Bahrain

Ali Bailoun is the Regional General Manager for Visa’s GCC Cluster – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. He is responsible for overall strategy in KSA, Bahrain and Oman, including business development, resource optimization, and building long-term partnerships with Visa’s clients, fintechs, digital banks, government, regulators and other key stakeholders to drive the adoption of cashless payments and digital transformation across the three markets. Ali is an accomplished business leader bringing almost 20 years of payments, banking and management experience to support issuers, acquirers, merchants and governments in Visa’s key markets to improve their profitability and grow their business. He joined Visa in 2012 and has since been responsible for the overall strategy that has successfully led Visa’s business. Ali holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from the Lebanese American University and completed several leadership, strategy and decision-making programs at Harvard University and MIT Sloan Management. 

How has your past experience influenced your outlook for 2024, and what is the critical element in Visa’s strategy for success?

Ali Bailoun: Drawing from my experience, I see 2024 and beyond as a pivotal year for Visa, especially in Saudi Arabia and wider Gulf region. Visa operates in more than 200 countries globally, tailoring solutions to meet local requirements. In the GCC, the shift towards cashless transactions and digital payments is accelerating especially across consumer and commercial B2B payments as well as remittances. As the regional general manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, I’m keenly focused on fostering this digital transformation. A critical element in Visa’s strategy for success lies in our ability to collaborate closely with regulators, financial institutions, and partners to drive innovation and adoption of digital payment solutions.

How does Visa tailor its strategies to the unique conditions and opportunities of each market?

Ali Bailoun: Visa takes a nuanced approach to each market, considering factors such as regulatory and economic landscape, consumer preferences, and technological infrastructure. While our strategies maintain a consistent framework across GCC markets, we recognize the importance of customization – local solutions addressing the specific needs and opportunities of each market. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, where contactless payments have seen remarkable adoption, we’ve prioritized initiatives to further enhance this trend. In Oman and Bahrain, we focus on different aspects based on local demand and readiness for digital payments.  What’s consistent across all our markets is the significant opportunity that remains to extend the many benefits of digital payments to more consumers, and businesses for a more inclusive digital economy. 

Visa takes a nuanced approach to each market, considering factors such as regulatory and economic landscape, consumer preferences, and technological infrastructure

Ali Bailoun

How does Visa ensure secure and reliable operations while fostering consumer trust in e-commerce?

Ali Bailoun: Ensuring security and trust in e-commerce transactions is paramount for Visa. We prioritize this by providing robust systems and solutions to our partners, enabling them to mitigate risks and operate securely. Leveraging advanced technologies such as AI and generative AI, we continuously monitor and analyze trends to stay ahead of potential threats. Our comprehensive approach aims to provide smooth and convenient payment experiences for all clients while maintaining the highest standards of security and reliability.  

How does Visa incorporate technologies like AI and blockchain into its regional strategy, and what benefits do they offer?

Ali Bailoun: Visa is at the forefront of leveraging technologies like AI and blockchain to enhance the efficiency and security of our payment network. We utilize AI for data analysis and fraud detection, enabling us to identify and respond to potential threats in real-time. Additionally, our blockchain-like solutions, such as B2B or B2C connect, streamline cross-border transactions, offering benefits like faster settlement times and increased transparency. These technologies not only improve the payment experience for consumers, merchants, and financial institutions but also pave the way for future innovation in the financial services industry.

Visa is at the forefront of leveraging technologies like AI and blockchain to enhance the efficiency and security of our payment network

Ali Bailoun

Can you elaborate on Visa’s education programs focused on enhancing security and the digital landscape?

Ali Bailoun: Visa places a strong emphasis on educating consumers and partners about security best practices and the evolving digital landscape. Our annual “Stay Secure” campaign is a comprehensive effort to raise awareness about common security risks, such as phishing scams and identity theft. Through targeted messaging and resources, we empower individuals and organizations to safeguard their financial information and stay vigilant against emerging threats. Additionally, we offer training and resources to financial institutions and merchants to help them implement best practices and ensure the security of their payment systems.

In conclusion, Visa’s regional strategy is rooted in collaboration, customization or localization, and innovation. By leveraging technology and fostering partnerships, we are driving the adoption of digital payments and ensuring a secure and seamless payment experience for all stakeholders across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.

Visa’s regional strategy is rooted in collaboration, customization or localization, and innovation

Ali Bailoun