As Dubai accelerates toward becoming one of the world’s top three cities by 2033 under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, its Cashless Strategy stands out as a defining pillar of transformation.
In this exclusive conversation with Mrs. Amna BinLootah, Director – Digital Payment Systems Regulatory Division, Department of Finance, Government of Dubai, we explore how the city’s bold digital vision is reshaping daily life, empowering businesses, and setting new global benchmarks for financial innovation and inclusion.
“The Dubai Cashless Strategy represents far more than a technological milestone – it is a redefinition of how our economy functions and how our society interacts with it,” BinLootah says. “As a central pillar of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, it directly supports our vision of positioning Dubai among the world’s top three cities in terms of economic performance, livability, and investment attractiveness by 2033.”
She explains that the Strategy was designed based on three key pillars: Digital Governance, Digital Innovation and Digital Society.
With 97% of government transactions already digital, residents and visitors experience unmatched efficiency across services, from public transport and healthcare to traditional retail. The widespread adoption of QR and contactless payments has replaced cash-handling inefficiencies with speed, transparency, and safety – thus boosting trust in digital systems.
For businesses, particularly SMEs, the Strategy enables greater agility and competitiveness. Digital payment systems provide real-time financial visibility, helping entrepreneurs manage cash flow, make data-driven decisions, and engage new markets. The ability of a small business to accept global payments as easily as a multinational is transforming the competitive landscape and driving innovation across industries, BinLootah says.
With the Strategy expected to unlock more than AED 8 billion in annual economic value, BinLootah predicts it will boost Dubai’s appeal as a global investment hub.
“Ultimately, the Dubai Cashless Strategy is not just about modernising transactions—it is about creating a smarter, more inclusive, and more resilient economy that defines how Dubai lives, works, and invests in the decades ahead.”
Building momentum toward 2026
“Our progress toward achieving a 90% cashless economy has been both substantial and carefully calibrated,” BinLootah says. “Building on the strong foundation of 97% digital government transactions, we have focused on scaling adoption across the private sector through partnerships, innovation, and inclusion.”
Since launching the Strategy in 2024, partnerships have been established across key economic sectors, including Emirates, flydubai, GDRFA, DIFC, the Department of Economy and Tourism, and Etisalat, to name a few. These collaborations are extending digital payment capabilities to millions of transactions annually. At the same time, the UAE Central Bank’s Aani instant payment platform and Jaywan domestic card scheme are providing low-cost, real-time settlement options that are critical for widespread adoption.
Overcoming segment-specific challenges
Highlighting the work done so far, BinLootah breaks it down by segment. For blue-collar workers, limited financial literacy and unfamiliarity with digital systems remain a constant challenge.
“We have responded through multilingual awareness programs, employer partnerships for digital salary transfers, and dedicated wallets offering payments, remittances, and micro-savings, all designed to build trust and usability,” she explains.
For SMEs, the Strategy addresses cost and complexity through SoftPoS solutions that convert smartphones into payment terminals, reducing capital expenditure to zero, with transaction fee negotiations and practical training sessions further easing adoption.
Noting that tourists contribute significantly to cash circulation, BinLootah says the Strategy is addressing this through partnerships that enable global wallet acceptance and exploring “tourist-friendly” digital wallets.
“In collaboration with the Central Bank, we are evaluating the Digital Dirham for instant VAT refunds, turning convenience into a unique competitive edge.”
Enabling every business, big or small
“Our approach is built on the principle of inclusive enablement, recognising that SMEs are the backbone of Dubai’s economy,” BinLootah states.
Aside from working with banks, fintechs, and payment service providers to make digital adoption cost-effective, BinLootah notes that knowledge and confidence are “as critical as technology”.
“We have launched multilingual training materials, hands-on workshops in business districts and markets, and peer-to-peer learning networks where early adopters guide fellow entrepreneurs. These programs focus on practical usage and real benefits rather than technical complexity, making digital adoption accessible to all.”
Recognising that each business is unique—from boutique retailers to local grocery stores—the Strategy has been built to ensure that solutions are modular, scalable, and contextually relevant.
“Our vision is clear,” BinLootah says, “no business in Dubai should be left behind. Digital participation must be a baseline for every enterprise, not a privilege of scale.”
Innovation, trust and inclusion
Striking that balance between innovation and responsibility “defines our approach”, BinLootah says.
Through the Digital Governance pillar, the Strategy has established robust frameworks to safeguard trust, data security, and inclusion.
“Working closely with the Central Bank of the UAE, we ensure our frameworks exceed global standards in encryption, authentication, and fraud prevention.
“Equally important is user confidence. We have launched awareness campaigns to educate the public on secure usage practices, fraud recognition, and dispute resolution mechanisms, because informed users are the strongest defence against risk.”
Under the Strategy’s Digital Innovation pillar, the team continues to pilot advanced payment systems such as Aani, Jaywan, and programmable Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
“However, every innovation is evaluated through a lens of accessibility, security, and public value,” BinLootah explains.
“Our goal is not only to lead in innovation but to ensure that every resident, worker, and visitor can transact digitally with complete confidence. That is the essence of a trusted, inclusive, and future-ready cashless economy.”
