Dubai Finance (DOF) and Digital Dubai (DDA) announced today the activation of the UAE’s national payment network, Jaywan, on the DubaiPay platform. The move strengthens Dubai’s digital payments ecosystem, expands the payment options available to customers, as part of the DOF’s efforts across Dubai to implement the Dubai Cashless Strategy.
Jaywan payment services are now available on DubaiPay following the successful completion of operational testing by DDA. The testing confirmed the platform’s readiness to process Jaywan card transactions securely, efficiently, and reliably, ensuring a seamless payment experience for customers. The first government transaction through the network was completed through the Dubai Cares donation service, marking the first use of Jaywan across government payment channels on the platform.
Jaywan is the UAE’s national card payment scheme, operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. It was developed to provide a secure and efficient national payment system that meets the needs of individuals, merchants, and financial institutions. The scheme supports the localisation of electronic payments and enables Jaywan cardholders to use their cards at point-of-sale terminals, ATMs, and e-commerce platforms.
His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of DOF, said: “Activating Jaywan on DubaiPay marks another important milestone in the development of Dubai’s digital payments ecosystem, and reflects our commitment to supporting national payment solutions and strengthening their integration into government services. In close collaboration with our partners, DOF remains committed to building an integrated, secure, and resilient payment ecosystem that supports Dubai’s ambition to become a leading digital economy and advances the objectives of the Dubai Cashless Strategy”.
“The cashless transition is about far more than replacing one payment method with another. It represents a broader transformation in customer experience, financial efficiency, and the Government of Dubai’s ability to adopt innovative and sustainable solutions. This highlights the importance of expanding digital payment options and integrating them with the national payments infrastructure,” His Excellency added.
His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of DDA, said: “Integrating Jaywan into DubaiPay marks another step in developing the shared digital infrastructure that enables Dubai to deliver more integrated and efficient government services. This integration is truly value as it introduces a new payment option while enabling national initiatives to integrate seamlessly into the Government of Dubai’s digital ecosystem. This expands customer choice, enhances the customer experience, and strengthens confidence in digital transactions.”
“At DDA, we continue to develop an advanced digital payments ecosystem based on integration, reliability, and innovation, in line with the vision of our wise leadership to digitise life. Our aim is to deliver connected digital services that make everyday transactions simpler, safer, and more convenient, while supporting the digital economy and strengthening Dubai’s readiness for the future,” His Excellency he added.
His Excellency Matar Al Hemeiri, Chief Executive of the Digital Dubai Government Establishment, said: “Activating “Jaywan” on DubaiPay represents a significant step in advancing Dubai’s digital payments ecosystem and enhancing the readiness of the Government of Dubai’s digital infrastructure to deliver more integrated and seamless customer experiences. It also aligns with Dubai’s vision of developing people-centric digital services that respond to people's daily needs."
“Digital payments are a fundamental part of Dubai’s digital lifestyle. So, we continue to work closely with our partners to develop an interconnected digital ecosystem that enables government entities to deliver smarter, more agile, and more efficient services, while providing customers with innovative and secure payment options that make transactions faster and easier. By strengthening integration across digital platforms and systems, we are building a government model that places people at the heart of service design, reinforces Dubai’s leadership in delivering advanced digital experiences, enhances quality of life, and strengthens the emirate’s readiness for the future,” His Excellency added.
Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF, said: “Integrating Jaywan into DubaiPay strengthens interoperability between the Government of Dubai’s digital financial infrastructure and the national payments ecosystem. It also introduces an additional payment channel that enhances the efficiency of government revenue collection while expanding the payment options available to customers. Completing the first government transaction through the network represents a practical step towards expanding the use of Jaywan across government services during the next phase.”
“We remain committed to advancing the government revenue collection ecosystem in line with the rapid development of the payments sector. Our focus is on improving operational efficiency, strengthening integration across payment systems, and delivering a seamless and trusted customer experience,” he added.
Amna Mohammed Lootah, Director of the Digital Payment Systems Regulatory Division at DOF, said: “Enabling Jaywan on DubaiPay was the result of close collaboration with partners and stakeholders across the payments ecosystem, and a valuable addition to the platform’s digital payment options and reaffirmed DOF’s commitment to ensuring that payment channels continue to evolve in line with customer expectations and advances in financial technology, while maintaining the highest standards of efficiency, security, and ease of use.”
“Expanding the range of payment options gives customers greater flexibility in selecting their preferred payment method and supports the wider adoption of digital payments across government services. This contributes to the objectives of the Dubai Cashless Strategy, which seeks to establish an integrated digital ecosystem in which cashless payments become the preferred choice for individuals and businesses,” she added.
The activation of Jaywan on DubaiPay reflects the close collaboration between DOF, DDA, and other stakeholders to strengthen the UAE’s national digital payments infrastructure and expand the adoption of national payment solutions across government services. It also enhances interoperability between payment systems and reinforces Dubai’s readiness to adopt the latest financial technologies.
The Dubai Cashless Strategy aims to accelerate the transition towards a cashless society by increasing the share of cashless transactions across the government and private sectors to 90% by the end of this year. The strategy further reinforces Dubai’s position among the world’s leading cities in the digital economy and next-generation payments.
