The UAE’s First National Payment Card, Jaywan, Launched

The United Arab Emirates has launched the nationwide distribution process for Jaywan, the country’s first national payment card system. The cards, which will be introduced gradually by banks, licensed financial institutions, and exchange houses, will be usable in physical stores, on e-commerce platforms, at ATMs, and in compatible digital wallets.

The official launch of Jaywan was carried out by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the UAE. The system is operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE.

Banks Offer Debit and Prepaid Cards

First Abu Dhabi Bank has launched the Jaywan debit card for eligible account holders. The card can be used for shopping at stores and local e-commerce sites in the UAE, withdrawing cash from ATMs, and accessing compatible digital wallets.

Commercial Bank of Dubai is also introducing prepaid Jaywan cards for retail customers. The cards, which can be used by loading funds onto them, will support contactless shopping, online payments, ATM transactions, and tokenization technology, which replaces card details with a digital identity in mobile wallets.

Retail and Financial Inclusion Targeted

Jaywan cards may be offered in debit, prepaid, and credit card formats. International use will depend on the type of card and the partner payment network. Al Etihad Payments is working with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and UnionPay on co-branded cards.

Cardholders are also expected to receive benefits in travel, retail, hospitality, and lifestyle categories. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed stated that Jaywan supports the goal of building a more efficient, resilient, and competitive financial sector, while advancing innovation and financial inclusion.

Jaywan Can Be Used for Online Shopping

Network International has expanded the acceptance of Jaywan cards to its e-commerce payment infrastructure. Through the integration, cardholders will be able to make payments at thousands of online stores served by the company in the UAE. Businesses that accept Jaywan transactions through Network International’s payment gateway will not be charged an additional fee. The company had previously added the card to its payment network for physical stores.

Pinar Alpay, Group Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Network International, stated that online payment support was the natural next step in the work carried out with Al Etihad Payments. Alpay said the integration would provide card users with a consistent payment experience across physical and digital channels.