UAE Launches ”Jaywan”, the Country’s First National Payment System
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), has officially launched "Jaywan", the UAE's inaugural national payment system. During the launch, His Highness announced the official rollout of the Jaywan card across licensed banks, financial institutions, and exchange houses, confirming its readiness for immediate customer use.
The announcement was made during a reception attended by H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE, board members of Al Etihad Payments, and various chief executives from local and global financial institutions. The gathering underscored the robust partnership between the Central Bank and the broader financial sector in backing the new national payment infrastructure.
Enhancing Financial Sovereignty and Competitiveness
Sheikh Mansour emphasized that the inauguration of the Jaywan payment system and the commencement of its national issuance represents a strategic milestone. This initiative reinforces the UAE's sovereign control over its financial infrastructure and establishes an advanced national payment framework that mirrors the leadership's vision for global financial pioneering.
His Highness noted that this achievement demonstrates the UAE's unwavering commitment to building a highly efficient, flexible, and competitive financial sector. The Jaywan system is designed to unlock new horizons for innovation, broaden the scope of financial inclusion, and cement the UAE's position as a leading global hub for financial services.
Jaywan Card Rollout and Core Capabilities
Licensed banks and financial institutions have already begun issuing Jaywan cards in a phased approach, which will continue accelerating over the coming months. Designed to provide a secure and integrated user experience, the Jaywan card boasts a versatile range of operational features:
Feature CategoryOperational Details
Broad AcceptanceFully integrated with Point of Sale (POS) terminals, e-commerce platforms, ATMs, and digital wallets.
Transaction VersatilitySupports secure contactless payments, online shopping, and direct cash withdrawals.
Geographic ScopeAuthorized for seamless use in both domestic and international financial transactions, subject to approved regulatory controls.
Rewards EcosystemOffers an exclusive, integrated program of benefits and discounts in collaboration with strategic partners across the travel, shopping, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors.
Driving the 'We the UAE 2031' Vision
The rollout of the Jaywan card acts as a pivotal catalyst in the UAE's ongoing digital transformation journey, vastly elevating the efficiency of the underlying financial infrastructure.
"Guided by the vision of our wise leadership and the direct support of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the launch of Jaywan and its national issuance marks a paradigm shift in the development of the nation's payment services," stated H.E. Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE.
The Governor concluded by affirming that this step proves the financial sector's capability to translate strategic visions into advanced national solutions. The system directly aligns with the objectives of the "We the UAE 2031" vision by promoting innovative digital payments and supporting sustainable macroeconomic growth.