UAE Launches Jaywan Card to Revolutionize Domestic and Global Payments

As per a CBUAE announcement on Thursday, the launch of Jaywan card was the first-ever domestic card in the country and aimed at local and international payment streamlining. Jaywan was developed by Al Etihad Payments, which is owned by the CBUAE. The launch of the Jaywan card is a vital step in the UAE’s digital transformation strategy and aims to elevate the nation’s stature as a prime global hub for digital payments. This initiative intends to lower the costs of payments for individual customers and localize card payment operations, and businesses.

With Ajman Bank already integrating it into the network for cash withdrawal at ATMs, the rollout of the Jaywan card officially began in mid-2024. “This scheme aims to reduce the payment cost and enhance our financial services and accessibility of financial services across the UAE,” according to Al Dhaheri, who noted that the card will also fast-track the UAE’s digital strategy and give customers more conveniences. An Assistant Governor may also be said to have responsibilities for Banking Operations and Support Services at CBUAE.

The Jayan card will cover multiple cases, comprising debit, prepaid, and credit cards, and will be available on multiple payment platforms, such as online transactions, ATM withdrawals, and point-of-sale terminals. Both mono-badge cards (for local use) and co-badge cards (in collaboration with international brands like Visa, Mastercard, and Discover) will be available, allowing for broader global usage. Al Etihad Payments has partnered with Samsung Gulf Electronics to integrate Jaywan cards into the Samsung Wallet, followed by the signing of an agreement for an advance to Google Pay and Apple Pay in future updates.

In the ambit of extending Jaywan beyond the UAE, an expansion agreement is also there for India by the middle of 2025. This expansion, plus the e-commerce feature of the card, would considerably boost the UAE’s role in the digital payments ecosystem.