Tap Payments secures Retail Payment License by UAE Central Bank

By Gloria Methri

Tap Payments has received a Retail Payment Services License from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), marking the completion of its regulatory approval across all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The UAE, home to 184 FinTech and payments companies—the highest in the region—represents a key market for Tap Payments. The company now holds regulatory licenses in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and the UAE.

Founded in 2014 in Kuwait, Tap Payments has developed localised digital payment solutions to support businesses of varying sizes across the MENA region. With full regulatory clearance across the GCC, the company is positioned to streamline digital payments further and expand its footprint in both regional and international markets.

“This license is a pivotal step in our mission to unify and simplify payments across the region,” said Ali Abulhasan, Co-Founder and CEO of Tap Payments. “With regulatory approvals in every GCC market, we are uniquely positioned to help businesses scale locally and expand across borders while operating within a trusted, fully compliant framework.”

Following its Retail Payment Services License from the Central Bank of the UAE, Tap Payments is now one of the most licensed payment providers across the GCC. The company supports a roster of high-profile clients in the UAE, including Flydubai, Wego, Insurance Market, Prypco, and Lulu Hypermarkets, along with major regional players such as Talabat, Careem, Trendyol, Marks & Spencer, BYD Auto, Tim Hortons, and TikTok.

Tap’s scalable and secure payment infrastructure continues to help businesses expand across MENA, simplifying market entry and driving growth through localised, reliable digital payment solutions.

Ahmad Alwazzan, Managing Director of UAE at Tap Payments, added, “Joining the UAE’s exclusive group of licensed payment providers marks a significant milestone for us. This license enhances our ability to offer businesses in the UAE market-leading, secure, and efficient payment products while ensuring full compliance with local regulations.”