Al Etihad Payments inks co-badging deals with Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay & Discover

By Gloria Methri

Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), has entered into co-badging agreements with leading global card networks, including Discover®️, Mastercard, UnionPay, and Visa. These collaborations are set to strengthen Jaywan, the UAE’s Domestic Card Scheme, by enabling seamless international transactions while reinforcing a robust domestic payment ecosystem.

Through these agreements, Jaywan cardholders will be able to transact globally, tapping into the extensive international infrastructure of partner card schemes. Domestically, payments will continue to be routed securely via UAESWITCH, preserving high levels of performance, reliability, and transaction security within the UAE.

Saif Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Al Etihad Payments, said, “Jaywan is a key step toward strengthening the UAE’s financial infrastructure, offering a locally rooted payment solution that supports economic growth and digital transformation. We are leveraging advanced technology and strategic partnerships, and we are creating a secure and efficient payment ecosystem that aligns with the nation’s vision for innovation and financial empowerment.”

Jaywan will roll out co-badged debit and prepaid cards in the second half of 2025. These new cards will support everyday purchases, salary disbursements and secure cross-border transactions, offering users greater convenience and international functionality.

With global acceptance enabled through partnerships with leading card networks, Jaywan cardholders will be able to use their cards abroad for travel, ATM withdrawals, and online payments. The co-badging initiative significantly enhances Jaywan’s utility, enabling seamless transactions both within the UAE and across international markets.

As the UAE’s national payments entity, Al Etihad Payments plays a crucial role in developing and operating the best-in-class national payments infrastructure. Driven by a mission to support the government’s vision of a society less reliant on cash and national digitisation, AEP strategically positions itself to provide innovative and interoperable payment solutions, enable financial institutions to enhance customer experience, and fortify a robust, efficient, and secure financial market infrastructure for the UAE.