DTI, Mastercard team up to expand MSMEs’ digital market access

Insider Spotlight

• The Department of Trade and Industry and Mastercard have partnered to strengthen digital adoption among Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises
• Digital payments accounted for 64.69 percent of retail transactions in 2025, up from 57.45 percent in 2024
• The partnership will provide training, digital payment solutions and practical resources to help small businesses reach wider markets
  
  
  
  

Filipino small businesses stand to gain wider market access as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Mastercard seek to address gaps in digital payment adoption, online security and merchant capabilities.

The DTI, through its E-Commerce Bureau (ECB), signed a memorandum of understanding with Mastercard on Oct. 26 to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt digital technologies and electronic payment solutions.

While more businesses are selling online, some merchants still lack the confidence and practical skills to accept electronic payments and engage customers securely.

“Many small businesses are already selling online. What some still need is greater confidence in accepting payments and engaging with customers safely and securely. By working with Mastercard, we hope to bridge that gap and help them get there,” DTI ECB Director Atty. Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon said in a press statement.

Merchant payments

Digital transactions represented 64.69 percent of retail payments in 2025, compared with 57.45 percent in 2024, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas E-Payments Measurement Report.

Merchant payments, including transactions involving MSMEs, accounted for 74.31 percent of total digital transactions.

The partnership combines the DTI ECB's enterprise development experience with Mastercard's payment technology expertise to strengthen local e-commerce capabilities.

The initiative seeks to help merchants improve operational efficiency, process payments securely and reach customers beyond their existing markets.

New ways to reach customers

“MSMEs are at the heart of the Philippine economy, and digitalization can give them new ways to reach customers, operate more efficiently and compete in an increasingly connected marketplace. At Mastercard, we want to help make that opportunity more accessible by giving businesses not only access to digital payment solutions, but also the knowledge and confidence to use them effectively,” Mastercard Philippines country manager Jason Crasto said.

Both organizations plan to introduce training programs and practical resources that will help merchants navigate digital marketplaces and adapt to changing consumer payment habits.

The initiative also aims to strengthen long-term business resilience as electronic commerce becomes increasingly important to everyday transactions. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma