Dubai’s Ministry of Finance has announced the activation of a diverse range of global digital wallets for the payment of government service fees across all its departments. According to the ministry, paying these fees can now be done through various digital wallets at government service centers. Some of these wallets have already been accepted through the Dubai Smart Payment Portal (Dubai Pay) and the “Dubai Now” application, with plans to enable the remaining wallets in this category by the end of the current year.
Individuals, businesses, and visitors interacting with different government entities in Dubai can now easily complete their payments using 11 different types of global and regional digital wallets. These wallets include: Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Alipay Plus, Alipay, WeChat Pay, RuPay, Diners, Discover, China UnionPay, and NPCI (UPI), as well as SoftPOS / Tap to Pay.
Abdul Rahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai Finance, described the implementation of these digital wallets as an important achievement and a significant step toward realizing the vision of a cashless government. He emphasized that this move reflects the commitment to enhance transparency and innovation in service delivery in accordance with global best practices. He noted that clear guidance from wise leadership and close follow-up has resulted in crucial initiatives to implement Dubai’s cashless strategy, which is aimed at bolstering the emirate’s position as a prominent global destination in digital transformation.
He added, “We continue to support the constructive efforts of our dedicated team, which has achieved several agreements with effective executing parties and taken unprecedented steps toward realizing the goals of Dubai’s cashless strategy, founded on governance, innovation, and community engagement.”
Hamid Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Dubai Digital, praised this initiative for its positive implications. He stated that it demonstrates Dubai’s openness to solutions that facilitate people’s lives and support the foundations of the digital economy, enhancing the quality of life for all residents of the emirate. He further remarked, “Allowing government fee payments through global wallets, and linking them with the ‘Dubai Pay’ portal and the ‘Dubai Now’ application, is at the core of the goals of Dubai’s digital strategy. This effort aims to enhance Dubai’s standing as one of the best cities globally by leveraging technology for the benefit of mankind. Moreover, this step aligns with government efforts to meet the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which positions the digital economy as a crucial contributor to the emirate’s overall economy.”
Matar Saeed Al Humairi, CEO of the Dubai Digital Government, commended this move, affirming that it reflects Dubai’s status as a leading global city. He stated, “The ability to pay government fees through global wallets and connect them with the ‘Dubai Pay’ portal and the ‘Dubai Now’ application benefits the broader public, whether they reside in Dubai or the UAE or are among the millions of visitors and tourists. This contributes to simplifying people’s interactions with the government and supports the digital economy, which are fundamental objectives of Dubai’s digital strategy aiming to digitize life in the emirate.”
Ahmad Ali Muftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector within the Dubai Finance Ministry, described this vital step as consistent with the vision for digital transformation and enhancement of an inclusive smart economy. He noted that this initiative is part of the implementation of Dubai’s cashless strategy, which aims to reduce cash transactions in financial dealings across both governmental and private sectors in the emirate, thereby establishing Dubai’s position as a global capital in digital finance and financial inclusion.
The transformative strategy launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to increase the percentage of financial transactions conducted through cashless digital methods in both government and private sectors to 90% and achieve 100% digital enablement in these sectors by the end of 2026.
In this context, Amina Lootah, Director of the Digital Payment Systems Regulation Department, stated that providing this extensive range of global digital wallets for government fee payments aligns perfectly with the Dubai government’s strategic direction of delivering intelligent, seamless services that meet the expectations of users and enrich their experiences. This is particularly relevant for regional and international visitors, including businesses, tourists, and investors, as well as citizens and residents. She added, “This leap in digital payment systems underscores our commitment to achieving full digital transformation in Dubai’s government payment framework. It represents a vital expansion in payment options aimed at improving the user experience and meeting diverse needs while enhancing the efficiency of completing government transactions through smart, secure, and seamless digital payment solutions.