Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), has signed co-badging agreements with international payment networks Discover, Mastercard, UnionPay, and Visa. These partnerships will enable the Jaywan domestic card scheme to facilitate both local and international transactions.

Starting in the second half of 2025, UAE financial institutions will issue co-badged Jaywan cards. These cards will allow users to conduct transactions within the UAE via UAESWITCH and internationally through the respective global networks. The cards will be available in debit and prepaid formats.

The initiative aims to reduce payment costs, enhance transaction efficiency, and support the UAE’s digital transformation strategy. Jaywan cards will be accepted across ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and online platforms. Mono-badge Jaywan cards will cater to local and GCC transactions, while co-badged versions will extend usability to over 200 countries.

AEP has also partnered with Samsung Gulf Electronics to integrate Jaywan cards into Samsung Wallet, with plans to extend compatibility to Google Pay and Apple Pay. Additionally, bilateral agreements with countries like India are expected to further expand Jaywan’s international acceptance by mid-2025.