Checkout.com to Launch Card Issuance Service in the UAE

Checkout.com, a global leader in digital payments, has announced its plan to expand its operations in the United Arab Emirates by launching a card issuance service—a first-of-its-kind initiative by a global digital payments provider in the region.

The new service is scheduled for a local rollout in 2026, following necessary regulatory approvals.

This service will enable businesses to issue branded cards—both physical and virtual—enhancing customer rewards, streamlining expense management, and simplifying inter-company payments.

By offering this value-added service, Checkout.com aims to provide its clients with increased control over complex cash flows and further expand the digital payments ecosystem in the Middle East.

During the Thrive Abu Dhabi conference, Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, alongside Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, the Regional Director for MENA, unveiled the upcoming launch.

In his keynote address, His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, welcomed more than 150 merchants and partners on Saadiyat Island.

Commenting on the launch, Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo stated, “As a global company, we are committed to providing our clients with the products they need. This announcement is a testament to our dedication to the MENA region and its growing influence in the digital economy. The drive for innovation is real here, and we are proud to build the infrastructure that supports it.”

Notably, Checkout.com is the first global digital payments provider to receive a retail payments license from the UAE Central Bank, offering services such as “Mada” and “Apple Pay” to merchants across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The forthcoming card issuance service marks another significant milestone in Checkout.com’s expansion across the MENA region.