GCash Rises as Top Finance App in Middle East

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GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance app, has emerged as one of the most-used financial platforms for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East. Following its expansion into Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, GCash now ranks second in app usage in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ninth in Qatar, based on June and July 2024 data from analytics platform data.ai.

With over 900,000 monthly active users in the UAE and more than 50,000 in Qatar, GCash has positioned itself as a key financial tool for OFWs, who make up more than half of the Filipino diaspora in the Middle East.

The app, which offers essential services like free money transfers and bill payments, allows Filipinos to send remittances without needing to visit traditional remittance centers.

“For OFWs, there is something about products and services that are made for Filipinos, by Filipinos,” said Paul Albano, GCash International General Manager.

“GCash has assessed the needs of OFWs, not just in terms of having digital finance solutions but also in what they need to be empowered economically—especially in the Middle East with its unique Filipino demographic and community.”

The expansion into Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier this year, reflects GCash’s broader international strategy. The service, which initially launched in countries like the U.S., Canada, Italy, and the UK, now covers 17 countries, with plans to reach Bahrain and Oman soon.

“We thank our dear Filipinos in the Middle East for their trust in GCash. This is our greatest honor: to innovate tirelessly, crafting financial services that will empower you to build brighter futures for yourselves and your loved ones,” Albano said.

In addition to remittance services, GCash provides OFWs with tools to manage their finances remotely.

Through its Pay Bills feature, users can oversee utility payments in the Philippines, ensuring full control over their local financial obligations.

By offering these digital services, GCash helps OFWs avoid the inconvenience of traveling to remittance centers or banks, which may be closed on weekends or holidays.

“GCash is committed to serving all Filipinos wherever they may be in the world,” Albano added.

“By enabling their access to our financial services, we’re helping them thrive every day, be ready for a rainy day, and be prepared for one day.”