UAE launches Jaywan, its first national payment card scheme

The UAE has officially launched Jaywan, its first national payment card scheme, marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s financial infrastructure and accelerating the growth of its digital payments ecosystem.

The scheme was inaugurated on Monday by H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). The launch also marks the nationwide issuance of Jaywan cards by banks, licensed financial institutions (LFIs), and exchange houses, making them available to consumers nationwide.

The announcement was made during Sheikh Mansour’s meeting with Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, alongside members of the Board of Directors of Al Etihad Payments and chief executives from banks, LFIs, and local and international payment companies.

Describing the launch as a strategic milestone, Sheikh Mansour said the rollout of Jaywan “reinforces the UAE’s sovereignty over its financial infrastructure and contributes to the development of an advanced national payments ecosystem that keeps pace with the country’s future aspirations, in line with the vision of the wise leadership to consolidate the UAE’s global standing in financial services.”

He added that the initiative reflects the country’s broader ambition to build “a more efficient, resilient, and competitive financial sector that unlocks broader opportunities for innovation, promotes financial inclusion, and further strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading global financial hub.” Sheikh Mansour also described the launch as “a pivotal step” in enhancing the national payments ecosystem, strengthening financial infrastructure, and supporting the UAE’s digital transformation journey.

Banks and LFIs have already begun issuing Jaywan cards, with the rollout taking place in phases over the coming months. The cards will be accepted across point-of-sale terminals, e-commerce platforms, automated teller machines (ATMs), and digital wallets, enabling contactless payments, online purchases, and cash withdrawals. They will also support both domestic and international payment transactions in accordance with applicable regulations. Cardholders will have access to rewards and exclusive offers through partnerships spanning the travel, retail, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors.

Balama called the launch “a transformative milestone in the development of payment services in the UAE,” saying it demonstrates “the financial sector’s ability to translate strategic visions into advanced national solutions, in line with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, while advancing innovative digital payments.”

He added that the central bank would continue working with industry partners “to further develop a more advanced financial ecosystem that supports economic growth and enhances the payment experience.”

The launch of Jaywan forms part of the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen its sovereign financial infrastructure, accelerate the adoption of cashless payments, and reinforce its position as a leading global financial hub.