MENA och Zwipe

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21.04.2022 kl 14:34 260

Here, inside one of the company's offices, Ramzi Al-Sabouri appears with Marie Kolstad and Pshwajt
However, the first question that comes to mind on this important occasion revolves around the following: What has been achieved in terms of the ZWIPE biometric card this year? As for the answer, we heard it from Mr. Ramzi al-Sabouri himself, who told us:

In fact, and in a simplified and quick reading of what has been achieved over the past year, we can see that six countries from the Arab world and Africa entered the ZWIPE axis, the first of which is Jordan, the second of which is Egypt, the third of Iraq, the fourth of Libya and the fifth of Saudi Arabia, without forgetting Lebanon, which Despite the challenges and its successive crises, I was able to sign agreements with three banks, which are expected to introduce their biometric cards soon in the Lebanese market. It is true that the six countries mentioned are the “egg,” as it is said in the MENA region, but it must be noted that efforts are continuing to acquire many companies and countries. In this context, it was pointed out that Kuwait is today on the way to join ZWIPE, as well as Qatar, Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, and discussions with some of their banks have gone a long way. It is worth noting that the countries we mentioned are among the capable countries in the MENA region, given that the economy of most of them is based on oil. We have previously talked about “insurance and banking” and we stopped at length at three countries: Iraq, Egypt and Jordan, but in the short period before the completion of the first year, an agreement was reached with the “Medium Bank” in Libya, which is one of the major banks. There is no doubt that Libya’s entry into this agreement, which is an oil country that is on the path to economic recovery, is of great importance because it needs a biometric card, especially since the wave sweeping the world today is the electronic wave, and it is no longer possible to rely on the traditional methods.


At Oslo Airport to meet the members of the general management of the company coming from all over the world, and it appears Ramzi Al-Sabouri (first from right) and Andrei Lovestam
Q: What are the most prominent results with banks?

A: What we must highlight are four important things, the first of which is that the company "Visa" that operates these cards, issued the certification of the product, meaning that it confirmed that the ZWIPE biometric card is ready for commercial issuance. Accordingly, this certificate has been circulated to all factories producing smart cards all over the world. We are waiting for MasterCard to issue a similar certification certificate in the next period.

The second important point lies in our agreement with the Qatar Financial Technology Center (QFTH) to attract all companies in the field of electronic payment, and Qatar has insisted on establishing this platform, coinciding with the World Cup, which will start before the end of this year. The platform in which VISA, as one of the main partners, is involved is sponsored by the Qatar Development Bank (QDB). It is interesting here that ZWIPE entered into this partnership as well. Therefore, we have no doubts that this biometric card will be highly attractive to Qatari banks, as millions of people are expected to visit Qatar, from all over the world, to watch the FIFA World Cup.


Flight from Beirut to Oslo
As for the third point, which is: What after ZWIPE? The answer: The company has recently launched, in addition to the biometric payment card, the ZWIPE ACCESS card, a product that deals with everything related to communication, and this card will be used in airports and in sensitive areas where the visitor needs to be introduced. So, it is a “passage card” to these centers that only those who are authorized to enter can enter.

The fourth and final point remains, and may be the most important, which is that ZWIPE has expanded from North Africa to the entire continent, especially where there is a population density such as Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.. Within this framework, I was sent a special invitation to participate remotely in the Lafferty Group, It is one of the most important consulting firms in the world and its headquarters are in London. I personally consider this participation the most important and prestigious meeting that takes place in the world at the level of retail banking. Perhaps the highlight of this year’s participants is the focus of the participants on the African continent, which is why all the managers of banks in Africa participated in this meeting, and I had an intervention about the ZWIPE card and its role in preventing financial crimes, thefts and piracy. As a result of this remote meeting, it can be said that the ZWIPE biometric card will also be widespread in the most important continent in the world in terms of rapid growth, as well as in terms of significant economic movement.

Q : What next?

A: After the pillars of ZWIPE were built, the practical implementation phase began, and from here I expect that the second half of 2022 will be the beginning of the phase of implementation, issuance and availability of cards in the hands of people, as the banks that have been agreed with are supposed to start launching