Money20/20 Middle East 2026: OpenWay's Hans Van Buylaere on Digital Payment Expansion

Quick Summary

The Middle East is currently undergoing a massive shift in its financial landscape, driven by ambitious national projects and a young, tech-savvy population. Hans Van Buylaere of OpenWay joined the conversation at Money20/20 Middle East 2026 to discuss how the company is leveraging its long-standing presence in the region to support this evolution. With a focus on the GCC market and Saudi Arabia, the discussion highlights the role of modern payment platforms in achieving regional economic goals.

What is OpenWay's history and strategy in the Middle East?

OpenWay is not a newcomer to the region, having maintained a presence in the Middle East for the last 20 years. Hans Van Buylaere explains that the company already serves several customers within Saudi Arabia, providing a solid foundation for further growth. The current strategy involves expanding this footprint across the wider GCC market, using Money20/20 Middle East 2026 as a primary venue to connect with partners and clients.

The company's longevity in the area suggests a deep understanding of local regulatory requirements and consumer behaviours. By focusing on the GCC, OpenWay aims to build on its existing successes and support the broader regional trend toward financial modernisation. The goal is to ensure that both established banks and new processors have the infrastructure necessary to compete in a globalised digital economy.

How does the Way4 platform facilitate digital transformation?

At the heart of the company's offering is Way4, a product designed to empower financial institutions. Hans Van Buylaere notes that Way4 enables every bank and processor to offer digital payments, which is a critical component of modern banking. The platform serves as a versatile tool for those looking to transition away from legacy systems or enhance their current service offerings. Key benefits of the platform include:

• The ability for banks to rapidly deploy digital payment solutions.
• Support for processors to scale their operations within the GCC.
• A technological framework that allows for the speeding up of technology adoption across the region.

By providing these tools, OpenWay helps institutions move faster, reducing the time to market for new financial products and ensuring that the underlying infrastructure is robust enough to handle increasing transaction volumes.

How does OpenWay align with Saudi Vision 2030?

The mission of OpenWay is closely aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Hans Van Buylaere points out that the push for digital payments is a core pillar of the Vision 2030 framework, which seeks to diversify the economy and develop public service sectors. OpenWay provides the technological means to realise these ambitions, specifically by enabling banks to modernise their payment stacks.

The alignment is seen as a natural fit, as the company's tools are specifically geared toward the digital evolution that the Saudi government is championing. By helping banks in the region speed up their technology cycles, OpenWay acts as an enabler for the wider economic transformation envisioned by the Kingdom's leadership.

FF NEWS TAKE:

OpenWay's twenty-year tenure in the Middle East gives them a unique perspective on the current wave of digital transformation. While many new entrants are flocking to the GCC, OpenWay combines local experience with its Way4 platform to offer a proven path toward digital payments. Their alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 demonstrates how infrastructure providers are no longer just vendors but strategic partners in national economic development. As the region continues to accelerate its fintech ambitions, the ability to provide stable yet flexible technology will be the deciding factor for market leadership.