rewrite this title Checkout.com to Launch Card Issuing in the UAE – Finovate

Checkout.com plans to launch card issuing services in the UAE by 2026, allowing businesses to create branded virtual and physical cards, pending regulatory approval.

The move supports the UAE’s 2031 Agenda to drive digital innovation and financial services growth across the region.

Checkout.com continues expanding its MENA presence, following milestones like securing its Retail Payment Services license and bringing Mada (Saudi Arabia’s National Payment Network) and Apple Pay to UAE and KSA merchants.

Payments service provider Checkout.com announced plans this week to expand its card issuing capabilities in the UAE, marking the first time the company will offer this service in the region.

The UK-based fintech says it will roll out domestic card issuance in the UAE in 2026. The rollout, however, is still waiting and dependent on regulatory approval. Once it goes live in the UAE, Checkout.com will enable businesses to launch branded virtual and physical cards, power customer rewards, streamline expenses, and offer business-to-business payouts.

“As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy,” said Checkout.com MENA General Manager Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo. “The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it.”

Founded in 2012, Checkout.com is a global payments platform that empowers businesses to accept, process, and manage payments seamlessly. Through its unified payments network, Checkout.com enables organizations to accept payments locally and internationally with global acquiring capabilities. The company also offers a suite of services, including card issuing that allows businesses to create and manage their own payment cards, advanced risk management tools to optimize performance and reduce fraud, and treasury management services to streamline cash flow and reconciliation.

Checkout.com obtained its Retail Payment Services license from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates in 2023. Since then, it has brought Mada (Saudi Arabia’s National Payment Network) and Apple Pay to merchants across the UAE and KSA.

Today’s announcement supports the UAE’s broader vision to be a leader in digital transformation and financial innovation. As part of its UAE 2031 Agenda, the country aims to create a competitive, knowledge-based economy driven by advanced technology, including in its financial services sector. Checkout.com’s expansion into card issuing aligns with these national goals by offering businesses more flexible, digital-first payment solutions. “With bold moves like Saudi’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda, MENA is fast becoming a global standard for digital transformation,” added Abbondandolo, underscoring how the region’s strategies are shaping the future of commerce and payments.

Photo by Nextvoyage

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