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Financial Cards and Payments in the United Arab Emirates

Publisher Euromonitor International
Published Jan 19, 2026
Length 58 Pages
SKU # EP20808074

Description

Financial cards and payments in the United Arab Emirates continued to grow in terms of the number of cards in circulation in 2025. Circulation increased in the market due to the expansion of credit, debit and pre-paid cards, which benefited from factors like payroll distribution, digital wallets and cashless payment adoption. Travel and tourism recovery and a heavy daily reliance on transportation and retail pre-paid cards, such as Road & Transport Authority (RTA)’s Nol card, further boosted car...

Euromonitor International's Financial Cards and Payments in United Arab Emirates report establishes the size and structure of the market for ATMs cards, smart cards, credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, pre-paid cards and store cards. It looks at key players in the market (issuers and operators), number of cards in circulation, numbers transactions and value of transactions. It offers strategic analysis of sector forecasts and trends to watch.

Product coverage: Financial Cards in Circulation, Mobile Payments, Transactions.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?
* Get a detailed picture of the Financial Cards and Payments market;
* Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
* Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
* Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.

Table of Contents

58 Pages
Financial Cards and Payments in the United Arab Emirates
Euromonitor International
January 2026
List Of Contents And Tables
FINANCIAL CARDS AND PAYMENTS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The number of cards in circulation rises healthily and steadily
KEY DATA FINDINGS
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Credit cards and pre-paid cards gain momentum while debit cards remain popular
Stronger fintech activity spurs usage
Leading players leverage ecosystems as smaller players struggle
WHAT’S NEXT?
Bright outlook for most types of financial cards
Company and government activities to increase the penetration of financial cards
E-commerce to hasten financial card use
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
RTA benefits from strong integration and tourism recovery to consolidate its position as the leading issuer
Visa benefits from strong growth in financial cards and partnerships
MARKET INDICATORS
Table 1 Number of POS Terminals: Units 2020-2025
Table 2 Number of ATMs: Units 2020-2025
Table 3 Value Lost to Fraud 2020-2025
Table 4 Card Expenditure by Location 2025
Table 5 Financial Cards in Circulation by Type: % Number of Cards 2020-2025
Table 6 Domestic versus Foreign Spend 2025
MARKET DATA
Table 7 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 8 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2020-2025
Table 9 Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 10 Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 11 Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 12 Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2020-2025
Table 13 M-Commerce by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 14 M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 15 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 16 Financial Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 17 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 18 Financial Cards: Card Payment Transactions Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 19 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 20 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Accounts 2025-2030
Table 21 Forecast Financial Cards Transactions by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 22 Forecast Financial Cards by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 23 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 24 Forecast Consumer Payments by Category: Number of Transactions 2025-2030
Table 25 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 26 Forecast M-Commerce by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
Summary 1 Research Sources
DEBIT CARDS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Demographic, digital and infrastructure developments boost debit cards
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Digitalisation spurs debit card usage
A strong share of the population remains unbanked or underserved
WHAT’S NEXT?
Debit card usage is set to rise over the forecast period
Transaction value per card may slow as frequency increases
Banks to invest in security, digital features and loyalty to stay competitive
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Visa and First Abu Dhabi Bank enjoy wide coverage to lead
Emirates NBD and Mastercard International invest in strategic direction
CATEGORY DATA
Table 27 Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 28 Debit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 29 Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 30 Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 31 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 32 Debit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 33 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 34 Debit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 35 Forecast Debit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 36 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 37 Forecast Debit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 38 Forecast Debit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
CREDIT CARDS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Targeted activities help to widen the base of credit card users
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Lifestyle spending stimulates credit card use
Fertile ground for credit cards in the United Arab Emirates
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ongoing shift to cashless society, rising consumer confidence and incentives to grow the possession and use of credit cards
Innovations and lifestyle-linked products to drive growth opportunities
Regulatory changes may impact credit card use
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Visa and First Abu Dhabi Bank invest in their credit card portfolios
Mastercard International innovates while Emirates NBD leverages a strong and diversified offer
CATEGORY DATA
Table 39 Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 40 Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 41 Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 42 Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 43 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 44 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 45 Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 46 Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 47 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 48 Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 49 Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 50 Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 51 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 52 Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 53 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 54 Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 55 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 56 Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 57 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 58 Commercial Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 59 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 60 Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 61 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 62 Personal Credit Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 63 Forecast Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 64 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 65 Forecast Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 66 Forecast Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 67 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 68 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 69 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 70 Forecast Commercial Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 71 Forecast Personal Credit Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 72 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 73 Forecast Personal Credit Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 74 Forecast Personal Credit Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
CHARGE CARDS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Charge cards continues to face challenges
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Shift to credit cards hits the use of personal charge cards
Commercial charge cards lead the category
WHAT’S NEXT?
Charge cards in circulation and transaction volumes to fall amidst a shift to credit cards
American Express to continue to shape the competitive landscape
Players to employ strategic positioning to sustain growth
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
American Express is streets ahead of rivals
Majid Al Futtaim Finance’s cobranded cards gain traction
CATEGORY DATA
Table 75 Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 76 Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 77 Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 78 Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 79 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 80 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 81 Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 82 Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 83 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 84 Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 85 Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 86 Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 87 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 88 Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 89 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 90 Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 91 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 92 Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 93 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 94 Commercial Charge Cards Payment Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 95 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 96 Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 97 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 98 Personal Charge Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 99 Forecast Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 100 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 101 Forecast Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 102 Forecast Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 103 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 104 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 105 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 106 Forecast Commercial Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 107 Forecast Personal Charge Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 108 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 109 Forecast Personal Charge Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 110 Forecast Personal Charge Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
PRE-PAID CARDS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Pre-paid cards cater to a wide range of needs
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Greater uptake and use of closed loop and open loop pre-paid cards
Pre-paid integration through digitalisation
WHAT’S NEXT?
Closed and open loop pre-paid cards to gain momentum as daily payment tools
Focus on micro pre-paid card transactions
Learning the pre-paid function early
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
RTA dominates closed loop pre-paid cards with transportation cards
Visa leverages wide acceptance and partner networks while First Abu Dhabi Bank’s strong offer appeals to personal and commercial users
CATEGORY DATA
Table 111 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 112 Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 113 Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 114 Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 115 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 116 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 117 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 118 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 119 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 120 Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 121 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 122 Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 123 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 124 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 125 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 126 Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 127 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 128 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards by Operator 2020-2024
Table 129 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 130 Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transaction Value by Operator 2020-2024
Table 131 Forecast Pre-paid Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 132 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 133 Forecast Pre-paid Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 134 Forecast Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 135 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 136 Forecast Closed Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 137 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 138 Forecast Open Loop Pre-paid Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
STORE CARDS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
2025 DEVELOPMENTS
Store cards is beset by weak circulation
INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE
Some call for store cards but usage fragments and falls further
Large retailers continue to invest in store cards
WHAT’S NEXT?
Ongoing shift to payment alternatives to dampen store card use
Store cards to remain characterised by small-ticket purchases
Focus on digitalisation and loyalty to maintain interest in store cards
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Retail is the bedrock of store cards
CATEGORY DATA
Table 139 Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2020-2025
Table 140 Store Cards Transactions 2020-2025
Table 141 Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 142 Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2020-2025
Table 143 Store Cards: Number of Cards by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 144 Store Cards: Payment Transaction Value by Issuer 2020-2024
Table 145 Forecast Store Cards: Number of Cards in Circulation 2025-2030
Table 146 Forecast Store Cards Transactions 2025-2030
Table 147 Forecast Store Cards in Circulation: % Growth 2025-2030
Table 148 Forecast Store Cards Transactions: % Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER

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