Ayala Group inks MOUs for smart city, digital infrastructure

With Japanese firms

MANILA, Philippines —  The Ayala Group is set to expand Filipinos’ access to digital and financial products and services through partnerships with Japanese firms forged during President Marcos’ state visit to Japan.

The group  signed  in Tokyo a series of strategic memoranda of understanding (MOU) with Japanese partners to help expand Filipinos’ access to more intelligent urban services, more inclusive financial solutions and data-driven digital platforms.

The partnerships bring together Ayala Corp., Globe Telecom, GCash parent company Mynt, Mitsubishi Corp., MUFG and KDDI to pursue high-impact collaborations across intelligent cities, digital finance and data-driven ecosystems.

“These partnerships reflect our shared commitment to nation-building, leveraging innovation, infrastructure and technology to support the Philippines’ long-term growth,” Ayala president and CEO Cezar Consing said.

Consing said the Ayala Group and its Japanese partners are working to build intelligent urban environments and expand GCash’s role as a powerful platform for financial inclusion.

“We are creating more connected cities, more inclusive financial systems and more opportunities for Filipinos to participate in and benefit from the digital economy,” he said.

Among the agreements signed is the development of “Intelligent City” initiatives, a pioneering partnership with Makati, in which the partners will explore data-driven urban platforms powered by artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and advanced connectivity.

Globe’s network will support the initiatives to enhance business productivity and support sustainable growth across sectors such as mobility, retail, energy and infrastructure.

Ayala said this is complemented by a joint push to accelerate financial inclusion growth, leveraging the combined strengths of the group, MUFG and Mitsubishi.

The collaboration will focus on expanding the quality of financial services, deepening ecosystem integration, enabling cross-border opportunities and advancing digital innovation to drive financial inclusion.

To support these efforts, Ayala said a broader initiative will be undertaken to build a digitally driven lifestyle for Filipinos through data-led and innovative solutions, with Mynt enabling enhanced data capabilities, a more customized approach and greater customer engagement.

Mynt said a MOU on value creation and growth for GCash establishes a four-party framework among the company, Ayala, Mitsubishi and MUFG — a collaboration designed to scale GCash’s user base and expand cross-border capabilities.

It said key focus areas include expanding financial services — such as lending, wealth management and advanced payments — alongside the deep integration of GCash into the group’s extensive business ecosystems spanning retail, banking, real estate, energy and mobility.

Another MOU entered into by Mynt, Ayala and Mitsubishi, meanwhile, focuses on digital solutions, with the companies aiming to hold discussions to create a more intelligent digital life for Filipino consumers.

“These partnerships represent a massive vote of confidence in Mynt’s long-term vision. By combining the leading digital platform of GCash with the unparalleled global networks and operational ecosystems of MUFG, Mitsubishi and Ayala, we are unlocking unprecedented value and taking Philippine fintech to the global stage,” Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon said.

Overall, Ayala said the agreements come as the Philippine government continues to strengthen economic collaboration with Japan, particularly in areas that support investment, innovation, infrastructure and digital transformation.

The conglomerate said the partnerships underscore the growing role of private-sector cooperation in advancing shared priorities between the two countries.