How does Shopify/WooCommerce integrate with Middle East payment gateways?

When integrating a payment gateway to Shopify or WooCommerce in the Middle East, localisation compliance, user habits and payment method diversity need to be considered. Here are the key steps and considerations:


I. Mainstream payment gateway options in the Middle East

  1. Credit cards/international programmes

    • Checkout.com: Mada (Saudi Debit Card), Visa/Mastercard support, covering multiple countries in the Middle East.
    • PayFort(Affiliated with Amazon): supports Saudi/UAE Mada, Apple Pay, instalments.
    • Telr: Local bank transfers and credit cards are supported in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
  2. Alternative payment methods

    • STC Pay(Saudi mobile wallet)
    • BenefitPay(Bahrain)
    • Fawry(Egyptian cash payments)
  3. Islamic Finance Compliance OptionsAsIslamicGate(Interest-free instalments in line with Sharia).


Second, Shopify integration steps

  1. Add officially supported gateways via the Shopify backend:

    • go into Settings > Payments, search for supported gateways (e.g. Checkout.com).
  2. Extend localisation options with third-party plugins:

  3. API Custom Integration (for gateways without official plugins): via Shopify Payments API or third-party services such asPrimerAggregate multiple channels.


III. WooCommerce Integration Solution

  1. Plugin Marketplace Solutions:

    // WooCommerce commonly used plugin sample code snippet (Telr as an example)
    add_filter('woocommerce_payment_gateways', 'add_telr_gateway');
    function add_telr_gateway($gateways) {
    $gateways[] = 'WC_Gateway_Telr';
    return $gateways.
    }

    Recommended Plugin:Telr Official Plugin / PayFort WooCommerce Plugin

  2. REST API manual docking:
    Using WooCommerce'sWC_Payment_GatewayClasses develop custom modules that call the Middle East Gateway API.


IV. Key considerations

  • 📜 compliancy:
    • PCI DSS certification is a must; SAMA licence is required for Saudi Arabia and CBUAE approval is required for UAE.
  • 💱 Currency and Language:
    • Shopify doesn't support Arabic RTL layout by default, it needs to be modified with a theme or applied by LangShop.
  • 🚫 repudiation risk:
    - Enable Address Verification System (AVS), especially for high-risk Cash on Delivery (COD).
  • ⏱️ settlement cycle:
    - Negotiate shorter settlement terms (e.g., daily for STC Pay vs. regular T+7).

V. Testing and optimisation recommendations
1️⃣ Sandbox tests all edge cases (e.g. failed Mada transactions).
2️⃣ A/B testing of checkout page location preferences - e.g. Kuwaiti users prefer KNET to credit cards.

Exclusive programmes for a specific country (e.g. Qatar) can be further explored if required!


VI. Payment optimisation strategies for selected countries in the Middle East

1. Saudi Arabia (KSA) focus programme

  • mandate:

    • must support Mada(Saudi local debit card network, accounting for 60%+ of non-cash transactions).
    • VAT invoices need to include the tax code (15% tax rate), recommended plug-ins such as ZATCA Compliance Plugin.
  • instalment:
    integrated (as in integrated circuit)TamaramaybeTabby("Buy now, pay later" giant with 4 interest-free periods). Shopify users can use the official app:Tabby Shopify.

  • Mobile wallet penetration:
    increase STC Pay(viaMyFatoorahaggregation), the transaction success rate is 20% higher than credit cards.


2. United Arab Emirates (UAE) Key Details

  • Local preferred method:

    • Emirates NBD / Mashreq Bank's Direct Debit Gateway.
    • Apple Pay popularity is high, make sure Checkout.com or PayFort enable the option.
  • Regulatory note:
    All e-commerce companies are required to show the AED price including 5% VAT on the checkout page and refunds must be made within 14 days.


3. Special needs of Egypt

  • 💵 cash-led economy:
    integrated (as in integrated circuit)Fawry(covering 90,000+ offline outlets), WooCommerce can be usedFawry Official Plugin.
  • 🏦 Bank transfer issues:
    Due to foreign exchange controls in Egypt, international gateways may delay settlement, it is recommended to use local processors such asPaymob.

VII. Technical troubleshooting checklist
|Problem Phenomenon|Possible Causes|Solutions
|—|—|—|
|Mada transaction rejected |Dedicated BIN list not enabled (e.g. "440647") |Contact payment gateway to get the latest BIN rules|
|Arabic garbage|Database character set not UTF8mb4|Changing MySQL Encoding|
Telr Callback FailureServer IP is not whitelistedSubmit the server IP of the merchant backend to Telr technical support|Telr Technical Support


VIII. Performance and cost optimisation
1️⃣ routing logic:
make use ofNuveiThe smart routing feature automatically prioritises Saudi user requests to the Mada network to reduce fees (0.81 TP3T vs Visa's 2.51 TP3T).

2️⃣ Sandbox test account::
Application links for each platform:

3️⃣ abandoned order to salvage::
For areas with high COD orders (e.g. Egypt), configure SMS alert tools such asSMSAgency Middle East Service Provider.


IX. Alternative programme options
If mainstream gateway audits are blocked:
✅ Areeba (Lebanon, GCC support)
✅ Geidea (Saudi Arabia, low monthly fee)
✅ HyperPay (Iraq/Jordan specialised coverage)

Need more detail on a particular country process (e.g. OMR currency handling in Oman)? Please advise specific scenarios!