Paulo Fernandes is a Payments Technology industry executive with over 20 years of experience focused on market growth through innovation, emerging technologies and strategic partnerships. He joined Mastercard in 2006 and has held roles across several different areas, including as Vice President of Product Development and then Head of Commercial Products in Latin America, and later in working with governments to develop global economic growth strategies for Trade, Tourism, Agriculture and SMEs. He is currently responsible for developing strategic partnerships with port and freight ecosystems to develop B2B global ecommerce, with specific focus on Smart Ports and digitization of supply chains. Prior to joining MasterCard, Mr. Fernandes worked on developing the Credit Card department at Mercantile Bank in South Africa, and provided payment solutions for global financial entities and governments in his work with Visa and as a payments Consultant.

Mr. Fernandes has an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School in Scotland and an Economics degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.