- The world’s first-of-its-kind “Jaywan – Mastercard” co-badged credit cards to enhance the acceptance of “Jaywan” and expand payment choices for customers.
- A new Mastercard operations centre in the UAE, the first of its kind in the region, to advance card payment services locally and regionally.
Abu Dhabi July, 2026: Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), in its capacity as the owner and operator of the UAE’s national card switch and domestic card scheme “Jaywan”, has entered into a first-of-its-kind strategic partnership with Mastercard. The partnership includes the launch of the world’s first “Jaywan–Mastercard” co-badged credit card, the development of advanced infrastructure for the switching and processing of card payment transactions, and the establishment of a new operations centre in the UAE that will form part of Mastercard’s global network, providing local and regional markets with advanced card payment services.
The announcement marks a transformative milestone in the UAE’s evolving payments landscape, enabling the issuance of Jaywan co-badged credit cards and their acceptance globally, and strengthening the UAE’s position as an international financial hub with the implementation of a new node in the Mastercard network in the UAE that is designed to process both domestic and international flows. Moreover, the UAE will be among the earliest countries to benefit from Mastercard’s advanced technology and services.
This strategic partnership supports AEP’s role in bringing together banks, fintechs, merchants and global technology partners to modernise the UAE’s payment infrastructure. Together, AEP and Mastercard will expand payment options, support local innovation and strengthen resilience to enable financial institutions and businesses to serve consumers more efficiently in an increasingly transforming digital economy.
The launch of the ‘Jaywan-Mastercard’ credit card, with Mastercard serving as the prime international scheme for the Jaywan credit card program, will enable secure, simple and accessible payment experiences, while giving banks, fintechs and merchants additional functionality to better serve consumers, grow their businesses, and contribute to the national economy.
A partnership built on trust and fueled by innovation:
Through this collaboration, Mastercard will deploy next-generation payment infrastructure in the UAE, powering Jaywan debit, prepaid and credit co-badge, encompassing advanced switching, processing and value-added services and, through Mastercard’s global product offering, advanced cybersecurity, fraud prevention and threat intelligence capabilities. Drawing on proven global experiences, the UAE highlights how a holistic, locally anchored approach can strengthen national payment goals and foster innovation.
“This collaboration represents a defining moment for the UAE’s payments ecosystem. By combining national infrastructure with global innovation, we are strengthening sovereignty, resilience and choice, while accelerating the UAE’s journey toward a future-ready financial system,” said H.E. Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, the CBUAE’s Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services, and Chairman of Al Etihad Payments.
“As Mastercard celebrates forty years in the UAE, this latest milestone with Al Etihad Payments reflects how together we can strengthen the foundation for continued growth in trade, tourism and commerce. We are bringing together trusted technology, global scale and deep local relationships to strengthen domestic resiliency while remaining deeply connected to the global economy,” said Dr. Dimitrios Dosis, President, EEMEA, Mastercard.
As the partnership evolves, Al Etihad Payments and Mastercard will explore flexible, market-relevant solutions that support the UAE’s digital transformation, enhance payment choice, and strengthen the country’s future-ready domestic payments ecosystem.
About Al Etihad Payments AEP:
Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), develops and operates the UAE’s national payment infrastructure. Established to support the Central Bank’s vision for a modern and resilient financial system, AEP delivers platforms that enable secure, interoperable, and efficient payments across the country.
Working across the payment’s ecosystem, AEP connects financial institutions, fintechs, exchange houses, businesses, government entities, and consumers through shared national infrastructure. Its platforms strengthen financial inclusion, support financial sovereignty, and advance the objectives of the UAE Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) Programme.
AEP’s flagship initiatives include:
- Aani – the UAE’s instant payments platform, enabling real-time account-to-account transfers.
- Jaywan – the UAE’s domestic card scheme, enabling secure retail payments across physical, online, and digital channels.
By building and operating national payment infrastructure, AEP supports the continued development of the UAE’s digital economy and enables the next generation of payment innovation.
About Mastercard:
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, relationships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realise their greatest potential. www.mastercard.com
