The UAE’s national instant payments platform Aani has crossed 12.5 million users, underscoring the country’s rapid shift toward a cash-light economy and strengthening confidence in its digital financial infrastructure.
Operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, Aani’s growth is supported by a connectivity network of 74 licensed financial institutions. The platform now integrates 85 percent of banks, alongside exchange houses, digital wallets, and finance companies, ensuring wide accessibility across the national ecosystem.
Usage has surged sharply, with a sixfold increase in transfers year on year and a steady monthly growth rate of 10 percent throughout 2025. Around 25,000 daily transactions are executed using mobile numbers alone, reflecting its growing role in everyday financial activity.
Adoption has also expanded across the business landscape, with nearly 774,000 merchants using Aani as a primary payment solution. The platform enables instant account-to-account transactions, typically completed within three seconds, helping businesses improve cash flow and operational efficiency.
Aani currently offers services including QR code payments, request-to-pay features, transfers via mobile number or Emirates ID, and multi-account management through a single application. Future enhancements are expected to include cross-border payments, e-cheques, direct debit, and business-to-business solutions.
Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor at the Central Bank and Chairman of Al Etihad Payments, said the platform’s rapid adoption reflects growing trust in the UAE’s secure and efficient payment ecosystem, reinforcing its position as a leading national payment solution.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
