UAE launches Jaywan, its first national payment card scheme

The UAE has launched Jaywan, its first national card scheme, with banks and financial institutions beginning nationwide issuance of the payment cards.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE vice president and chairman of the Central Bank, inaugurated the scheme this week, according to state-run news agency WAM.

What is Jaywan?

Jaywan is the UAE's first national card scheme, developed by the Central Bank of the UAE and Al Etihad Payments. Banks and licensed financial institutions issue Jaywan debit and prepaid cards, which work at points of sale, e-commerce platforms, ATMs and digital wallets. The cards support both domestic and international payment transactions under applicable regulations.

Who launched the Jaywan card scheme?

Sheikh Mansour announced the launch during a meeting with Central Bank of the UAE Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama, members of Al Etihad Payments' board and chief executives from banks and payment companies. He said the initiative reflects the UAE's commitment to a more efficient, resilient and competitive financial sector. Sheikh Mansour added that it would support innovation, financial inclusion and the country's digital transformation goals.

Banks and licensed financial institutions have begun issuing Jaywan cards in phases over the coming months. Cardholders will also get access to rewards and offers built with partners across travel, retail, hospitality and lifestyle sectors. Sheikh Mansour said the rollout would strengthen financial infrastructure and reinforce the UAE's position as a global financial hub.

What have UAE officials said about the Jaywan launch?

Balama called the nationwide issuance of Jaywan a transformative milestone for payment services in the UAE. He said it shows the financial sector's ability to deliver national payment solutions aligned with the "We the UAE 2031" vision. The vision includes broader efforts to advance digital payments across the country.

Balama said the Central Bank would keep working with partners to build a more advanced financial ecosystem. He tied that goal to supporting economic growth and improving payment services more broadly. The UAE has invested heavily in digital finance and payments infrastructure in recent years.