Payment Gateways in Egypt: A Merchant's Guide to Choosing the Right Ones

Choosing payment gateways in Egypt is one of the most important decisions for any online store: a customer who cannot pay the way they prefer closes the page without buying. This guide explains how a payment gateway works, the payment methods Egyptian shoppers use most, how to pick the right mix for your store, and how to cut the problems that come with cash on delivery.

What is a payment gateway and how does it work?

A payment gateway is the secure link between your store and the bank or wallet your customer pays from. When a customer clicks "Place order", this happens in seconds:

1. The customer chooses a payment method and enters their details on a secure payment page.
2. The gateway sends the details, encrypted, to the bank or wallet provider to be checked.
3. The bank approves or declines the payment, sometimes after a one-time code sent to the customer's phone.
4. You see the confirmation in your store's dashboard, and the money reaches your account on the provider's settlement cycle.

You never keep customers' card details in your store; the gateway protects them. That is one of the main reasons to rely on a well-known gateway rather than improvised workarounds.

The most popular payment methods in Egypt

Cash on delivery

Still the most widely used option, especially with new customers who do not know your store yet. The customer pays the courier on delivery, and the shipping company collects the money and transfers it to you. Its strength is trust; its weakness is the risk that the customer refuses the parcel.

Bank cards: Visa, Mastercard and Meeza

Best for customers who already shop online. Meeza is Egypt's national payment card, and accepting it opens your store to the many people who hold it for salaries and government services.

Mobile wallets and InstaPay

Vodafone Cash and InstaPay let customers pay from their phone in seconds, and they are popular with younger shoppers and people without a bank card.

Fawry

The customer gets a reference number and pays cash at the nearest Fawry outlet. Good for people who want to pay in advance without using a card.

Instalments with ValU

Customers split the price into monthly instalments, which makes higher-priced products such as electronics and furniture easier to sell.

Payment methods compared

Payment method	Best for	Watch out for
Cash on delivery	New customers, every governorate	Confirm orders before shipping to cut refusals
Visa, Mastercard, Meeza	Experienced online shoppers	Gateway fees are taken from each payment
Vodafone Cash, InstaPay	Fast payment from a phone	Explain the payment steps to the customer
Fawry	Paying cash in advance	Set a deadline for paying the reference number
ValU	Higher-priced products	Show the monthly instalment on the product page

How to choose payment gateways in Egypt for your store

• Fees: set by the payment provider itself, usually around 2–3% of each transaction. Build them into your margin.
• Settlement time: when does the money reach your account? It decides how fast you can restock.
• Range of methods: the more ways to pay you offer, the fewer carts are abandoned at checkout.
• Easy setup: you should be able to switch payments on from your store's dashboard, without a developer.
• Security: choose well-known gateways that protect customer data and support one-time codes.

How to cut cash on delivery problems

A refused parcel costs you shipping both ways. These practical steps reduce refusals:

1. Confirm every order by phone or WhatsApp before handing it to the courier.
2. Show shipping costs and delivery times clearly before checkout, so there are no surprises.
3. Reward paying in advance with a small discount or free shipping for online payment.
4. Ask for a deposit on high-value orders through Vodafone Cash or InstaPay.
5. Track the shipment and send the customer the tracking number so they know when to expect it.

Selling in Iraq too?

Iraq has its own payment gateways. Markatty supports ZainCash, AsiaHawala and First Iraqi Bank (FIB) for payments in Iraqi dinars, as well as Visa, Mastercard and cash on delivery.

Turning on payment gateways in Egypt with Markatty

Markatty is connected to the main payment gateways in Egypt: Visa, Mastercard, Meeza, Fawry, Vodafone Cash, InstaPay and ValU, plus cash on delivery and bank transfer. Cash on delivery is available in every plan; if you need online payments, choose the Plus plan or above on the pricing page. Markatty takes no commission on your sales; you only pay the payment provider's fees. See every supported gateway on the payments page.

Payment gateway FAQs

Does Markatty take a commission on each payment?

No. Transaction fees are set by the payment provider, and Markatty adds no commission on your sales.

Can I offer cash on delivery and online payment together?

Yes, and you should. The customer picks the method that suits them at checkout.

Is online payment safe for my customers?

Yes. Card details are entered on the payment provider's secure page and are never stored in your store.

The bottom line

The best store accepts payment the way its customers prefer to pay. Start with cash on delivery plus at least one online method, then add wallets and instalments as your sales grow. Just getting started? Read our guide on how to create an online store in Egypt, or start your free trial now.