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Enable payment solutions in the United Arab Emirates

aed dirham icon UAE dirham (AED)

The United Arab Emirates is a highly connected market, with 99% internet penetration at the end of 2025 and digital payments transaction value forecast to reach $181.45 billion in 2026.

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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
Flag of the United Arab Emirates
Population 11,574,682
Banked Population 84.6%

The United Arab Emirates at a glance

Key market indicators that matter when you're evaluating the United Arab Emirates as your next expansion target.

$57,109 GDP per capita (USD)
-3.9% Annual GDP growth
#29 World economic ranking
$181.45B Digital payments market revenue

Digital readiness

Internet usage 99%
Smartphone adoption 97%
Credit / Debit card usage 54%
Population transacting electronically 76.5%

Why this matters for your business

In a 2026 survey, 54% of respondents aged 18–64 reported using debit cards for online shopping, pointing to the importance of accommodating different checkout preferences rather than relying on a single payment option. Enabling access to locally relevant payment methods alongside cards can help online businesses make the checkout experience more suitable for UAE customers.

6.6M Consumers Online

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Areas of interest

Interested in local payment solutions in: *

By submitting this form, you consent to the collection and use of your information for purposes related to your request. In particular, you authorize us to contact you at the email address provided to follow up on this request. The services will be given on a local basis subject to local regulations and our policies, and the transactions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For more information on how we manage personal information, please see our privacy policy.

Free market entry guide

The complete guide to understanding alternative payment methods

The complete guide to understanding alternative payment methods

Payment methods in the United Arab Emirates

All methods available through a single Zota API integration.

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P2P

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Voucherry

Voucher

Ready to reach the United Arab Emirates?

Connect to the UAE’s payment methods through a single integration. Your customers pay the way they prefer, and you capture revenue you'd otherwise miss.

Expand your business today