PayRow and 8B have joined forces to establish a unified payment interface for GITEX AI Central Asia & Caucasus in Almaty, starting from the opening day of the 2026 event.

During the entire 2026 edition, all transactions related to ticket purchases, exhibitor packages, on-site services, and partner bookings will be managed via a single checkout that accepts cards issued by various Kazakhstani banks. Sales in Kazakhstan will be facilitated through Zesta LLP, a locally licensed payment organization, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

For the 2027 edition, an expanded acceptance network is on the horizon. PayRow and 8B are planning to incorporate Uzum, HUMO, and Uzcard alongside national QR systems from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan’s ELQR system into the checkout process. The objective is to transform it into a regionally focused QR-based payment experience.

From a technical standpoint, this solution is built on two layers. 8B provides access to Central Asian national rail networks, local card schemes, and instant-payment connections via a unified API. PayRow contributes the merchant infrastructure anchored in the UAE, covering acquiring and settlement services. Together, they form the basis of a payment interface that aligns with domestic transaction practices in the region.

Market-wide implications

The official press release highlights how this partnership addresses an existing challenge within international technology events where payments are often handled using systems that differ from established local systems. This has historically created difficulties for attendees, especially those from emerging markets, even at events that focus on digital infrastructure.

Beyond the GITEX exhibition, both companies are exploring opportunities to implement this same acceptance stack for other significant Central Asian events in 2026, indicating that the GITEX deployment is intended to serve as a scalable model rather than a standalone project.