Sheikh Mansour launches Jiyun national payments system as UAE banks begin issuing cards
UAE rolls out Jiyun national payments card system to strengthen financial infrastructure, enable contactless, online and ATM use, and expand digital payments nationwide.
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan today inaugurated Jiyun, the United Arab Emirates’ first national payments system, and announced the formal start of card issuance across licensed banks, financial institutions and exchange houses. The launch positions Jiyun at the centre of the UAE’s push to modernize payment rails and broadens options for consumers and businesses to pay, withdraw cash and transact online.
Sheikh Mansour launches Jiyun national payments system
Sheikh Mansour described the Jiyun rollout as a strategic step to reinforce the UAE’s sovereignty over its financial infrastructure. He said the system will support the country’s ambitions to lead in digital finance and translate national vision into concrete payments solutions.
The inauguration followed a meeting with Khaled Mohammed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, members of the Union Payments board and senior executives from local and international banks and payments firms. Officials stressed the partnership between the Central Bank and the private sector in delivering the new platform.
Central Bank and financial sector partnership
The Central Bank of the UAE led the initiative in close coordination with licensed banks, payment companies and exchange houses to ensure a smooth national rollout. Governor Khaled Balama said the effort reflects the leadership’s vision and a direct mandate to scale digital and innovative payment services across the economy.
Officials framed Jiyun as part of the broader national agenda to achieve the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” strategy, by enhancing digital payments, improving service efficiency and supporting economic growth. The scheme will be managed in collaboration with industry partners to maintain operational resilience and regulatory compliance.
Card issuance, acceptance and technical capabilities
Licensed banks and financial institutions will begin issuing Jiyun-branded cards in phased stages over the coming months. Cards will be accepted at point-of-sale terminals, e-commerce platforms, ATMs and within digital wallet environments to support contactless, online and cash withdrawal transactions.
Jiyun cards are designed for both local and international use in line with the approved regulatory framework. The system supports contactless payments and integrates with merchant and banking infrastructure to deliver an end-to-end secure payment experience for consumers and businesses.
Consumer benefits and partner offers
Cardholders will be eligible for a packaged set of benefits and promotional offers delivered through strategic partners across travel, retail, hospitality and lifestyle sectors. These partner programmes aim to boost cardholder value, encourage adoption and expand the ecosystem of services linked to the national payments scheme.
Officials said the rewards and merchant tie-ups were structured to encourage everyday spending and travel-related use, while also supporting small and medium enterprises that accept Jiyun payments. The incentives are intended to complement wider efforts to increase financial inclusion and digital adoption.
Phased rollout timeline and regulatory safeguards
The Central Bank confirmed that issuance and acceptance will proceed in phases to enable testing, merchant onboarding and user education. Banks and exchange houses will issue cards progressively, allowing for system tuning and expanded interoperability across the payments ecosystem.
Regulatory safeguards and operational controls will govern the use of Jiyun for cross-border transactions, fraud prevention and consumer protection. Authorities emphasised adherence to licensing rules and international best practices as the system scales to full national coverage.
Expected impact on UAE financial infrastructure
By establishing a national payments scheme, policymakers expect to raise the efficiency, security and competitiveness of the UAE’s payment infrastructure. Jiyun is positioned as a foundational element for future financial innovation, supporting broader digital transformation initiatives across government and private sectors.
Officials highlighted that a domestic payments backbone can reduce reliance on external networks, foster homegrown fintech solutions and create new opportunities for local firms to build complementary services atop the national rails.
The launch of Jiyun marks a key milestone in the UAE’s financial roadmap, combining public-sector direction and private-sector execution to deliver a modern payments alternative across retail, online and ATM channels.
