UPI Strengthens India-UAE Digital Payment Corridor

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is picking up tremendous momentum in the UAE, led by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the global subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India. With more than seven million Indians traveling to the UAE every year and a healthy remittance corridor between the two countries, UPI expansion promises huge advantages to consumers as well as businesses.

The integration allows Indian tourists to utilize known mobile applications for payments, making it easier and decreasing dependency on cash.

The UAE’s ambitious goal to achieve 90 percent digital transactions by 2026 aligns well with UPI’s entry into the market. Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, emphasized the milestone, stating, “Indian diaspora and Indian tourist travel experience to the UAE will never remain the same again following the full integration of UPI with the UAE’s digital payment infrastructure.” He applauded NIPL’s aggressive initiatives and collaboration with local partners.

Key Highlights-

• UPI now accepted at major UAE outlets like Lulu Hypermarket and Dubai Duty-Free
• NIPL partners with NeoPay, Network International, and Magnati to expand UPI footprint
• Move supports UAE’s goal of 90 percent digital transactions by 2026 and eases payments for over 7 million Indian visitors annually

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NIPL has partnered with major players such as NeoPay, Network International, and Magnati to accelerate UPI QR-based payments among retail chains such as Lulu Hypermarket and Dubai Duty-Free. "We are thrilled to fast-track the acceptance of UPI in the UAE, an achievement that not only brings unprecedented convenience to India's tens of millions of visiting citizens but strengthens the digital bond between our two economies," remarked Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NIPL.

Looking ahead, NIPL plans to expand UPI’s reach into sectors like hospitality, entertainment, and transportation, advancing the shared vision of a secure, seamless, and cashless digital ecosystem.