Ooredoo Maldives’ Chief Commercial Officer, Hussain Niyaz, underscored the transformative potential of digital finance and fintech innovation in shaping national economic diversification at a panel discussion during the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Conference. The session, titled “Rethinking Economic Growth Beyond Tourism,” was held yesterday (16 November 2025) at Villa Nautica and brought together policymakers, financial leaders, and industry experts.
Speaking on the panel, Niyaz highlighted digital finance as a powerful equalizer in geographically dispersed nations like the Maldives.“Digital finance is one of the greatest equalizers in a dispersed nation like ours. With m-Faisaa soon integrated with PayPal, we’re enabling freelancers, artisans, and small businesses from every island to access global markets and new income streams,” he said. “This is how every community becomes part of the digital economy.”
Niyaz outlined key barriers that must be addressed to fully unlock the benefits of digital transformation, including high infrastructure costs, limited digital skills, and fragmented digital systems. He stressed the importance of strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive nationwide connectivity and promote financial inclusion.“But to unlock this fully, we must overcome high infrastructure costs, skills gaps, and fragmented digital systems. No single player can do it alone,” he added. “Strong private-sector partnerships are key to expanding connectivity, digital tools, and financial inclusion—so that innovation and opportunity reach every island in the Maldives.”
Reinforcing the human-centered nature of digital transformation, Niyaz noted that a digitally empowered Maldives will ultimately be built by people, not technology.“Technology doesn’t build a digital nation, people do. Anyone with the mindset to embrace change has a role in shaping the Digital Maldives,” he said.
During the session, Niyaz reiterated Ooredoo Maldives’ commitment to enhancing nationwide connectivity and expanding digital solutions that enable financial access. The upcoming integration of PayPal with m-Faisaa is expected to significantly widen global opportunities for Maldivians, particularly freelancers, guesthouse operators, small merchants, and creative entrepreneurs.
Ooredoo Maldives reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with the government, regulators, and private partners to support a resilient, diversified, and digitally empowered national economy.
