Adyen secures UAE retail payments licence

By Milan Rojan

Adyen has secured a Retail Payment Services Category II licence from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), strengthening its local payments capabilities and expanding its operational presence in the country.

Mariëtte Swart, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at Adyen, said: “Adyen has always taken a long-term view toward responsible innovation. Technology alone isn’t enough to serve large enterprises and platforms, it requires a solid, owned foundation that removes middlemen and protects customers from third-party risk. This owned infrastructure means fewer risks, more control, and the ability to scale with speed and confidence.

The licence has enabled Adyen to manage local payment settlements directly without relying on third-party providers, giving the company greater control over its payment infrastructure, compliance processes and settlement operations. The development has marked a significant step in Adyen’s expansion strategy in the UAE, where it has operated since 2020, supporting merchants including Careem, Ellington Properties, Gargash Group, Noon and Ziina.

Daumantas Grigaravicius, Head of Middle East at Adyen, said: “The UAE is a dynamic market for digital commerce. This licence marks a major step forward in our growth journey. We can now offer even greater control, reliability and innovation through our local operations, while maintaining the same single platform approach. This complements the country’s wider push to accelerate its digital economy.”

The regulatory approval has also supported Adyen’s plans to expand its local capabilities across fraud prevention, alternative payment methods and unified commerce, while providing a foundation for future innovations, including AI-driven payment experiences.

The licence has further strengthened Adyen’s ability to support both domestic and international businesses operating across the UAE.