Mastercard Vice President and President of Strategic Development Jon Huntsman visited Azerbaijan as part of a high-level meeting program aimed at promoting digital transformation, financial inclusion, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Axar.az reports that as part of the visit, Mr. Huntsman met with Taleh Kazimov, Chairman of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the progress made by Azerbaijan in expanding financial inclusion and digitalization was discussed. The parties discussed opportunities to strengthen their long-term strategic partnership, including cooperation in the areas of payment system optimization, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, data-driven solutions, and the development of a sustainable and secure digital financial infrastructure.

“Azerbaijan is rapidly becoming a regional leader in digital transformation in the CIS region, thanks to its strong commitment to financial transparency, modern infrastructure, and an innovation-driven development model. Mastercard is committed to supporting this progress and brings its expertise in secure payment infrastructure, data-driven solutions, and SME digitization to the global stage in partnership with key Azerbaijani institutions. Together, we aim to contribute to the formation of a sustainable, reliable, and connected digital economy - an economy that will enable local solutions to safely scale in international markets and strengthen Azerbaijan’s position as a regional hub for financial innovation,” said Jon Huntsman, Vice President and President of Strategic Development at Mastercard.

“The Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan is committed to implementing important reforms aimed at strengthening the national payment system and promoting innovation. These efforts serve to increase the inclusiveness and efficiency of our payment infrastructure and to provide faster, more reliable, and secure services for all users. By prioritizing accessibility, we aim to bring the benefits of digital financial services to individuals, businesses, and underserved communities. As we confidently move towards a cashless future, Mastercard remains a valuable strategic partner for the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan on this path of joint development and modernization. This partnership, in addition to ensuring the effective implementation of innovative payment solutions, supports inclusive growth and broad participation in the digital economy,” said Taleh Kazimov.

As part of the visit, Jon Huntsman also met with Rashad Nabiyev, Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital transformation, transit corridors, and the broader transport ecosystem were discussed. The parties also exchanged views on the possibility of establishing a Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Baku as a platform for regional expertise, innovation, and capacity building.

At the same time, Mastercard, in partnership with AmCham Azerbaijan, organized a business roundtable with key financial market participants in Baku. The event was attended by top managers of leading banks and fintech companies, as well as representatives of government agencies.

The discussions served as a platform for an open and forward-looking dialogue on the future of Azerbaijan’s financial ecosystem. The dialogue focused on digital and mobile payments, SME digitization, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the role of cooperation in accelerating the implementation of reliable digital solutions.

Special attention was paid to increasing SME participation in cashless transactions, strengthening financial inclusion, and developing practical and scalable solutions that support transparency, business development, and long-term economic sustainability.

The roundtable also highlighted Mastercard’s ongoing contributions to Azerbaijan’s digital economy through initiatives in the areas of tokenization, contactless payments, AI-based fraud prevention, data analytics, and public-private partnerships. As a follow-up to this collaboration, AmCham Azerbaijan expressed its readiness to collaborate with Mastercard in advancing these priorities through joint initiatives and effective public-private partnerships.

Safar reaffirmed Mastercard’s position as a long-term technology and innovation partner of Azerbaijan. The company is committed to supporting the country’s ambition to build a connected, transparent, and inclusive digital economy through global expertise, local partnerships, and continued investment in innovation.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Together with our customers, we build a sustainable economy where everyone can succeed. We support a wide range of digital payment options that make transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Our technologies and innovations, partnerships and networks provide a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses, and governments realize their potential.

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