UAE Finance Ministry Approves Anni and Gion for Federal Fees and Fines
UAE Finance Ministry approves Anni and Gion for federal fees and fines under Cabinet Decision No.176M/4M (2026), expanding instant and card payment options nationwide.
The Ministry of Finance has announced the approval of the national payment systems Anni and Gion for settlement of federal service fees and fines, marking the first federal body to implement the measure following Cabinet Decision No.176M/4M of 2026. The move brings Anni and Gion into the official suite of government collection channels and signals a broader shift toward instant and card-based payment methods for federal transactions. Ministry officials said the decision aims to improve collection efficiency and offer more flexible payment choices to users across the UAE.
Cabinet decision authorises Anni and Gion for federal collections
The Cabinet decision cited by the Ministry formally authorises the two systems and sets the fees associated with their use, enabling federal entities and collecting banks to integrate the solutions in line with their procedures. The approval is based on the state-level framework for national payment infrastructure and follows regulatory oversight by the Central Bank of the UAE. Ministry documents indicate that the endorsement is intended to standardise payment channels and reduce fragmentation in government collections.
Ministry outlines rollout and integration with federal entities and banks
Implementation will be phased, with the Ministry inviting other federal agencies and accredited collecting banks to adopt Anni and Gion according to their operational readiness. The systems will be made available through existing channels used by government bodies and will require technical integration with payment gateways and revenue management platforms. The Ministry said banks will play a critical role as acquirers and processors, and entities will maintain discretion over timelines that reflect their internal procedures and testing cycles.
Officials emphasise benefits for taxpayers and revenue management
Undersecretary Younis Haji Al Khouri said the introduction of Anni and Gion demonstrates the Ministry’s commitment to adopting national financial innovations that support a secure and sustainable digital economy. He stated that integrating these solutions into government collection channels will not only raise operational efficiency for federal entities but also enhance the payer experience by offering flexible options tailored to daily needs. Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Undersecretary for Budget and Government Revenues, added that the move is expected to accelerate revenue collection and strengthen alignment with the UAE’s broader payments infrastructure.
How Anni and Gion function within the national payments ecosystem
Anni is the UAE’s instant payment system developed under the Central Bank’s supervision to enable real-time, secure transfers and settlement around the clock. The platform is designed to facilitate immediate payment confirmation for both person-to-person and person-to-business transactions. Gion is the Central Bank’s national card-based payment scheme, created to expand card acceptance under a domestic framework while supporting secure electronic payments. Together, the systems offer complementary modes: Anni for immediate transfers and Gion for card-based transactions, providing consumers and businesses with multiple payment paths.
Expected impact on digital transformation and financial inclusion
Officials project that wider use of Anni and Gion in federal collections will support the UAE’s digital economy objectives by streamlining transactional flows and reducing administrative friction. The expanded payment options are intended to improve accessibility for residents and businesses, enabling payments through digital wallets, bank apps, and card channels that align with consumer preferences. The Ministry highlighted potential gains in reporting accuracy, reconciliation speed, and data consistency that can strengthen budgetary planning and public finance management.
Operational considerations and next steps for agencies
Federal entities will need to update collection procedures and complete technical integration and testing before switching to or adding Anni and Gion as payment methods. Banks and payment service providers are expected to align their acquiring services and customer interfaces to support the new channels. The Ministry has signalled that it will coordinate with the Central Bank and relevant agencies to ensure interoperability, security compliance, and a smooth customer transition during the rollout period.
The decision places the UAE’s federal revenue collection strategy on a clearer trajectory toward modern payment standards and wider digital adoption. Agencies and banks now have a defined policy basis under Cabinet Decision No.176M/4M (2026) to begin planning integrations, and users can expect more payment choices for federal fees and fines as implementation progresses.