The 100 NRIs – 2026: Pankaj Kundra, CEO, Geidea

This article forms part of The 100 NRIs, a special edition by Entrepreneur Middle East spotlighting the most influential non-resident Indians shaping business, innovation, and investment across the region.

Pankaj Kundra was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Geidea UAE, with his tenure beginning on 25 August 2025. Bringing over 25 years of international expertise, his background spans fintech, enterprise payments, and banking across Africa, India, and the Middle East.

Kundra’s leadership in digital transformation, product development, and strategic alliances has consistently delivered substantial growth and innovation. His previous roles include Senior Vice President at Network International, where he played a key role in establishing the firm’s enterprise acquiring capabilities and securing significant revenue milestones.

His experience also includes senior positions at Idemia, Mashreq Bank, and Citibank, where he was at the forefront of integrating technology to enhance customer security and deliver seamless financial solutions.

At Geidea UAE, Kundra aims to capitalise on the country’s digital momentum by expanding the company’s portfolio of payment solutions, merchant services, and digital commerce platforms. He will focus on strengthening relationships with financial institutions, government bodies, and enterprise clients, while promoting the adoption of next-generation, scalable payment technologies aligned with the UAE’s ambition to be a global leader in digital innovation.

Another core focus will be investing in talent development and fostering a high-performance culture to accelerate growth across diverse customer segments.

He holds an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an MBA in Marketing from the Institute of Management Studies. His strategic vision and deep industry knowledge position him as a key figure shaping the future of digital payments in the UAE.

With the UAE positioned as a global hub for innovation, Kundra’s extensive experience in fintech and banking will be instrumental in advancing Geidea’s vision to lead the nation’s digital transformation and strengthen its market leadership.