Apple’s Tap to Pay functionality has been launched in the United Arab Emirates, making one of the Big Tech giant’s flagship modern payments features available in the fast-growing market.
The function has already been integrated for UAE transactions by global payments processor Adyen, Au Dhabi-based cross-border payments firm Magnati, and Network International, a Middle East and Africa-focused payments provider, which has made it available to partner merchants.
As with other markets, the payment method will be made available for American Express, Mastercard and Visa users, as well as customers of other contactless credit and debit cards issued by other major payment networks.
“At Network, we’re continuously finding innovative ways to simplify payment acceptance for businesses,” said Jamal Al Nassai, Group Managing Director for Merchant Services at Network International, MENA.
“With Tap to Pay on iPhone, we’re giving UAE merchants a simple and cost-effective payment solution that works just with their iPhone and Network’s N-Genius One app. Merchants can start accepting payments securely, delivering a seamless experience to their customers.”
The development marks a continuation of the international digitalisation of payments across multiple markets. Tap to Pay by Apple Pay is one of the most successful examples of this, having been rolled out in various countries, most recently five European nations in October this year.
Its launch in the UAE, meanwhile, showcases the growing international interest in the country’s economy, in particular its growing payments sector. The country’s government has been working to significantly enhance its financial services and fintech economy, including looking into new areas like cryptocurrency and blockchain.
“Over the past decade, the UAE’s financial infrastructure has undergone significant digital transformation, marked by technological advancements, regulatory reforms and strategic initiatives aimed at fostering financial inclusion and innovation,” Nauman Hassan, Regional Director of MENA at Paymentology, told Payment Expert earlier this year.
“Key payments and financial infrastructure has transitioned from legacy hardware to cloud-hosting, providing the foundations for fintechs and institutions to build digital-first financial services.
“Clear regulatory support has also boosted the UAE’s payment and financial landscape, with the UAE’s Central Bank providing a regulatory sandbox and innovation hub to better support and coordinate with new and innovative fintech initiatives.”
