Aani Surpasses 12.5 Million Users as UAE Instant Payment Adoption Accelerates Rapidly

A New Standard for Digital Transfers

Al Etihad Payments has announced that Aani, the UAE national instant payment platform, has officially surpassed 12.5 million registered users. This milestone reflects a significant shift in the nation financial ecosystem, with the platform now facilitating real-time fund transfers in less than three seconds. The rapid growth confirms Aani status as a primary pillar of the UAE digital economy. Launched as a key component of the Central Bank of the UAE Financial Infrastructure Transformation programme, Aani was designed to modernize transactions and foster a cashless society. It allows individuals and businesses to send and receive funds 24/7 using simple identifiers like mobile numbers or emails. This approach eliminates the need for complex IBAN details, making digital banking more accessible to all residents.

Expanding Ecosystem and Features

The platform growth is supported by a massive network including dozens of licensed financial institutions and more than 774,000 merchants across the Emirates. With a transaction limit of AED 50,000, Aani provides a versatile tool for both everyday consumer spending and small business operations. High-profile participants like FAB, ADCB, and Emirates NBD have integrated the service directly into their existing banking apps. Beyond simple transfers, Aani offers innovative features such as Request to Pay and split billing, which have become popular for managing shared expenses. Users can also utilize QR code payments for zero-touch checkouts at retail locations. These functions are part of a broader strategy to simplify financial management through the official Aani website.

Vision for the Future

This expansion aligns with the government broader vision for financial inclusion and technological leadership. By reducing the reliance on physical cash and streamlining peer-to-peer transfers, Aani is positioning the UAE at the forefront of global fintech. Future updates are expected to include real-time electronic direct debits and potential cross-border integrations to further enhance the platform utility. For more detailed information regarding the platform recent performance, readers can view the official report from the Central Bank of the UAE.