Now your face or palm is your wallet: UAE unveils region’s first biometric payment system
Live testing underway within a key public sector organisation
DUBAI – The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unveiled the region’s first biometric payment solution, marking a significant step in the country’s push towards a secure and innovation-led digital economy.
Launched through the CBUAE Sandbox Programme and Innovation Hub at the Emirates Institute of Finance, the initiative supports the UAE Digital Economy Strategy and aims to modernise the national payments ecosystem. The solution allows users to complete transactions using facial or palm recognition, removing the need for physical cards or mobile devices.
تماشياً مع الاستراتيجية الوطنية للاقتصاد الرقمي وجهود #مصرف_الإمارات_المركزي لتطوير منظومة مدفوعات وطنية آمنة وشاملة ومبتكرة، أعلن المصرف المركزي، من خلال البيئة التجريية الرقابية ومركز الابتكار التابعين له في معهد الإمارات المالي، وبالتعاون مع شركة «نتورك إنترناشيونال» الرائدة… pic.twitter.com/aJrpaHqdnJ
— Central Bank of the UAE (@centralbankuae) January 28, 2026
Currently operating as a proof-of-concept, the pilot is being demonstrated at the Dubai Land Department, a Dubai Government entity. Customers can authenticate payments by scanning their face or palm, enabling faster and more seamless transactions within a controlled environment.
Pilot framework
The biometric payment solution has been developed in collaboration with Network International, a leading fintech company across the Middle East and Africa, and is powered by PopID. According to the Central Bank, the pilot is being conducted under strict testing conditions to evaluate security, efficiency and operational readiness before any decision on broader implementation.
No timeline has been announced for expanding the system beyond the pilot phase. The CBUAE said the phased approach would ensure the technology meets regulatory, technical and customer protection standards.
Regulatory backing
Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the CBUAE and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Institute of Finance, said the initiative reflects the Central Bank’s commitment to digital transformation. He noted that biometric payments could enhance transaction security while delivering more convenient payment experiences, in line with the UAE’s ambition to build a world leading digital economy.
Industry collaboration
Murat Cagri Suzer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Network International, said the company is working closely with the Central Bank to develop a future-ready payments ecosystem. He highlighted biometric payments as an emerging component of digital commerce, offering a combination of efficiency, convenience and enhanced security as financial institutions explore alternatives to traditional payment methods.