Boost urges B2B payment firms to extract AI insights over data hoarding
Boost Payment Solutions is pushing business-to-business payment providers to transform data stockpiles into real-time intelligence through artificial intelligence, a shift particularly relevant for MENA’s digitizing trade corridors. “Most companies are sitting on an enormous amount of data today, and they’re doing very little with it,” said Rinku Sharma, Chief Technology Officer at Boost.
Core development
Boost processes commercial card transactions across thousands of relationships spanning 180 countries. The firm now deploys AI systems that enable millisecond payment decisions, eliminating manual review queues and batch processing delays. Implementation timelines have compressed from months to days.
The company’s infrastructure operates across 55 countries, positioning it to support cross-border commerce in MENA markets including Dubai, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi—regions accelerating MSME cash digitization through partnerships like the recent Mastercard-Boost collaboration.
“The moat is not having more data. The moat is about having the right data, knowing what questions you want to ask of that data, and building the infrastructure to act on those answers at speed.”
— Rinku Sharma, Chief Technology Officer at Boost Payment Solutions
Analysis: This statement reframes competitive advantage in B2B payments from data volume to analytical velocity—a critical distinction as MENA fintechs compete with established global networks.
Why this matters
Business-to-business payments remain among the least digitized segments of commercial finance. AI-driven automation directly addresses this gap by reducing operational costs, accelerating transaction workflows, and surfacing risk patterns that rule-based systems miss.
For MENA specifically, where Boost maintains EMEA operational presence, this intelligence-first approach aligns with regional infrastructure modernization. Saudi Arabia’s SARIE instant payment system has driven transaction volume growth, while Dubai initiatives target distribution network digitization. Regional B2B platforms already report revenue gains from embedded finance offerings, creating natural integration points for AI-enhanced payment intelligence.
Sharma emphasized integrating siloed data sources to generate actionable insights on counterparty risks and supplier behavior patterns—capabilities that become more valuable as intra-GCC trade volumes expand.
What to watch next: AI adoption rates among Riyadh and Dubai payment hubs; Boost’s geographic expansion announcements; integration partnerships with regional trade platforms.
Conclusion
The shift from data accumulation to insight extraction could accelerate MENA’s B2B payment evolution, transforming operational infrastructure into strategic competitive advantages for fintech firms that deploy these capabilities effectively.
Sources: PYMNTS, MENA Fintech Association, MENA Fintech Association, MENA Fintech Association, Mastercard
