Dubai has approved the use of global digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, WeChat Pay, RuPay, and Diners for government-related payments—marking a major step toward a cashless digital economy. The move, announced by the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF), will allow residents, businesses, and tourists to pay government service fees digitally through DubaiPay and the DubaiNow app, with a commercial rollout expected by the end of 2025.
The initiative supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy, which aims to reduce cash-based transactions to less than 10% by 2026, while enhancing financial inclusion and digital transparency. The integration will also enable UPI and Tap to Pay options, broadening accessibility for international visitors and expatriates.
DOF Director General Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh described the decision as pivotal to improving public service delivery and supporting Dubai’s ambition to operate as a fully cashless government. Experts have highlighted its potential to streamline convenience for residents and tourists, while boosting Dubai’s digital economy and aligning with the UAE’s broader shift toward digital payments.
This announcement follows the DOF’s recent partnership with Dubai Police to enhance digital payment channels. Across the UAE, digital payments continue to surge, with the nation now ranked as the regional leader in digital transactions, reflecting growing consumer adoption of digital assets, stablecoins, and an upcoming central bank digital currency (CBDC).
