Mastercard launches AI-driven analytics for B2B supplier payments

The platform scores suppliers by their likelihood of accepting commercial cards, using accounts-payable data. Absa Group and Emirates NBD are among its first bank providers.

Mastercard launches AI-driven analytics for B2B supplier payments through a new platform announced on 28 September 2026. Called Mastercard Advanced B2B Analytics, it helps banks and corporate buyers identify suppliers more likely to accept commercial cards, using accounts-payable information, payment data and AI-supported acceptance propensity scoring.

In its official announcement, Mastercard said the service combines supplier scoring with interactive dashboards and advice from its Advisors & Transformation team. Banks can use the results to prioritise conversations with suppliers, while corporate buyers can examine where commercial or virtual cards might replace existing payment methods.

Supplier scores identify prospects, not commitments

The platform examines a corporate customer’s payables and payment patterns to identify suppliers likely to accept card payments. Issuers can use the predictions to prioritise outreach, rather than approach an entire supplier base without regard to willingness or suitability.

The estimates do not establish that a supplier currently accepts a particular card, will agree to change payment terms or will offer better pricing. Mastercard has not published independent validation of the scoring model’s accuracy or evidence of the financial benefits realised by customers.

The dashboard also gives corporate clients a view of payment flows. Mastercard says this can support decisions about working capital and virtual card adoption, but those outcomes depend on suppliers’ acceptance decisions and individual commercial arrangements.

Absa and Emirates NBD among early providers

Mastercard identified Absa Group and Emirates NBD as among the first financial institutions offering Advanced B2B Analytics to corporate customers. A separate 30 September regional announcement confirmed Emirates NBD as an early launch provider in the United Arab Emirates.

The service is therefore positioned for access through participating issuing banks and their corporate customers, rather than as a tool available directly to every supplier or merchant. Mastercard has not specified a general global rollout timetable or published a complete list of supported markets.

Expansion to suppliers and acquirers remains planned

Mastercard describes Advanced B2B Analytics as an initial part of a wider commercial-payments intelligence programme. It intends to extend the approach to suppliers and acquirers, although it has not provided a timetable for those additions.

The September release did not provide independently verified results showing higher supplier card acceptance, increased transaction volumes or improved working-capital outcomes. The confirmed development is an issuer-led analytics service intended to identify where commercial-card acceptance may be worth pursuing.