FAB partners with Thunes to power real-time global payments

Thunes has partnered with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) to expand real-time international payment capabilities across the Middle East, marking a notable development in the region’s rapidly evolving cross-border payments landscape.

The collaboration will see FAB integrate Thunes’ Direct Global Network to facilitate instant payouts, including mobile wallet transfers to more than 130 countries. Once live, FAB customers will gain access to faster and more transparent international transactions, a function increasingly sought by both retail and corporate clients operating across global markets.

The move aligns with the UAE’s broader push toward digital financial infrastructure modernisation under initiatives such as We the UAE 2031 and the Central Bank’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation (FIT) programme. Both frameworks emphasise interoperability, innovation, and financial inclusion as core elements of the country’s long-term economic agenda.

Simon Nelson, Chief Commercial Officer at Thunes, said, “First Abu Dhabi Bank joining our Direct Global Network is a clear vote of confidence in Thunes’ ability to deliver global interoperability at scale. Together, we are making cross-border payments faster, and easier for everyone.”

The partnership underscores FAB’s intent to strengthen its international payments offering amid heightened demand for seamless digital remittances across the GCC. For Thunes, the agreement reinforces its growing role as an infrastructure provider supporting real-time settlement and alternative payment channels worldwide.

By combining FAB’s regional reach with Thunes’ global payout infrastructure, the two organisations aim to enhance the speed, scalability, and accessibility of cross-border transactions, reflecting a continued shift toward next-generation payment rails in the Middle East.