The strategy targets 90% of all financial transactions in both government and private sectors to be carried out digitally and full digital enablement at 100% across the emirate by the end of 2026
digital payments
Latest in digital payments
Aviation
PayCargo launches new digital payment platform in UAE with Emirates SkyCargo partnership
Emirates SkyCargo customers in the UAE can now process payments through credit card or direct debit
digital payments
Paymentology expands regional presence with new Dubai office
It will serve as a base for client delivery, partner engagement, and operations, and house an expanded team of local experts
Amazon
Amazon Payment Services partners with Tamara BNPL to expand UAE, Saudi Arabia market
The partnership responds to rising demand for flexible payment options in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia
digital payments
New Zealand’s Xero makes big US push with acquisition of Melio
In the biggest acquisition made by a New Zealand company, accounting software giant Xero to buy the New York payments provider for $2.5bn
Brand View
Securing innovation at scale
AI-powered Visa Protect suite of solutions addresses the rising sophistication in payment fraud and evolving consumer security demands
Bolt
“We don’t want to take an American approach”: BOLT’s Justin Grooms on building for the UAE
How the fintech leader is localising trust, data and identity for the UAE’s fast-moving digital economy
checkout.com
UAE’s du Pay taps Checkout.com to strengthen payments infrastructure
The partnership enables du Pay to make use of Checkout.com’s unified platform for seamless back-end processing, accelerating financial inclusion in the UAE
Arabian Travel Market
Dubai’s DET partners with Visa to boost international tourism
The agreement envisages harnessing Visa’s data-driven insights to optimise marketing campaigns, streamline tourism services, and deliver tailored promotions for visitors
digital payment service
UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation launches Digital Wallet for service payments
The UAE is launching a digital wallet for businesses to pay for service payments
ADQ
UAE to launch Dirham-backed stablecoin
Dirham-backed stablecoin launched in the UAE will enable simple digital payments
digital commerce
PayPal expands in MEA region with its newly launched hub in Dubai
Will serve 80 countries in Middle East and Africa from its Dubai Internet City hub; Has signed several deals with regional merchants and partners
Artificial intelligence
Google-backed AI firm NeurochainAI teams up with W Chain for smart payment solutions
W Chain and NeurochainAI will combine forces to offer smart global payment tools, with real-time fee adjustment and fraud detection features
Al Ansari Exchange
Al Ansari Exchange renews strategic partnership with Visa
Promises to unlock new opportunities and deliver significant value across the financial services ecosystem and accelerate the future of digital payments
cross-border payments
PayPal, TerraPay partner to boost real-time digital transfers across Middle East and Africa
The MENA digital payments market, estimated at $251.34 billion in 2025, is expected to reach $422.56 billion by 2030
cashless economy
Saudi Arabia sees surge in cashless payments as it adopts digital transactions
Saudi Arabia uses digital technology for 79 per cent of retail payments
Al Etihad Payments
Al Etihad Payments signs global co-badging deals for Jaywan cards with major payment giants
Jaywan cardholders will gain seamless global payment capabilities as UAE’s Al Etihad Payments partners with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and UnionPay