Pomelo Group Appoints Abdul Aleem Abdul Gafoor as Country Manager for South Asia

Pomelo Group, a leading provider of omnichannel acquiring platforms, has announced the appointment of Abdul Aleem Abdul Gafoor as its first Country Manager for South Asia. Based in the Maldives, Aleem will support Pomelo’s key clients in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives, driving growth and strengthening Pomelo’s presence in the region.
Insights from the Appointment:
- Regional Growth Potential
- With vibrant tourism sectors, increasing cross-border financial flows, and a rapid adoption of digital payments, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are ripe for modernization. Pomelo’s omnichannel acquiring platform supports seamless online and in-person payments, allowing banks and merchants to integrate domestic payment schemes and international card networks through a unified backend.
- Strengthening Cross-Border Payment Solutions
- Abdul Aleem emphasized Pomelo’s advanced FX (foreign exchange) capabilities, which allow banks and merchants to actively participate in cross-border payment flows and generate critical foreign exchange for local economies. This positions Pomelo as a key enabler in the growing digital payment landscape of South Asia.
- Aleem’s Background and Experience
- Aleem previously served as the Head of Card Services at the Bank of Maldives, where he was responsible for building the bank’s payments ecosystem through strategic partnerships with international card networks and payment providers. His experience in this area makes him uniquely qualified to lead Pomelo’s efforts in the region.
- Pomelo’s Commitment to the Region
- Pomelo’s co-founder and CTO, Simon Verraest, praised Aleem’s technical expertise and strong relationships across Sri Lanka and the Maldives, highlighting his role in driving Pomelo’s growth. CEO Steve Vickers also emphasized Aleem’s appointment as part of Pomelo’s commitment to long-term partnerships and deep local engagement.
With Aleem’s appointment as Country Manager for South Asia, Pomelo is well-positioned to strengthen its operations and continue its growth in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Aleem’s deep regional knowledge and technical background are expected to drive Pomelo’s success in this rapidly evolving market.