Mastercard has appointed Yasemin Bedir as President of its Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa region, placing the nearly two-decade company veteran in charge of operations spanning 81 countries from September 1, 2026.
Bedir, who is based in the United Arab Emirates, will oversee Mastercard’s strategy, direction, and overall operations across the EEMEA region. Her remit includes working with retailers, fintech companies, financial institutions, governments, and businesses to support the growth of digital payments and commerce across markets that include Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt.
She will also join Mastercard’s Management Committee, succeeding Dimitrios Dosis, who has moved into the role of Chief Commercial Payments Officer with responsibility for Commercial and New Payment Flows.
Brandspur Brand News gathered that Bedir most recently served as Division President for Eastern Europe, a position she held for four years. During that period, she guided Mastercard’s operations through a complex geopolitical and regulatory environment while working to strengthen the company’s position across the markets.
Sachin Mehra, Chief Business Officer at Mastercard, described Bedir as a leader with strong experience and a record of delivering results. He noted that the EEMEA region is a complex market requiring creative thinking, proven results, and strong relationships, qualities he said Bedir had demonstrated throughout her career.
Bedir joined Mastercard in 2007 and has held several leadership positions across different markets. Her previous roles included General Manager overseeing Mastercard’s activities in Turkey and Azerbaijan, as well as a senior position in North America where she managed relationships with community institutions and processors for nearly five years.
Before joining Mastercard, Bedir worked with HSBC, Garanti Bank, and Yapı Kredi in Turkey. She is also among the founders of the Professional Women Network and has led initiatives aimed at supporting the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
Her appointment comes as Mastercard continues to deepen its presence across the EEMEA region, where digital payment adoption has accelerated rapidly. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, represents a particularly important market as the country’s fintech sector expands and cashless transactions become increasingly mainstream.
For Nigerian businesses and consumers, Mastercard’s regional leadership changes carry significance. The company plays a central role in enabling cross-border payments, supporting fintech innovation, and partnering with local banks to expand card acceptance. The EEMEA region’s complexity demands leadership that understands both the opportunities and the regulatory challenges across diverse markets.
Bedir expressed commitment to building on the foundation established under Dosis’ leadership over the past five years, emphasising her intention to work with the regional team to drive continued growth. Her track record in Eastern Europe suggests a leader comfortable navigating regulatory complexity while pursuing market expansion.
