Network International (Network), the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has partnered with NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) to enable the acceptance of QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments across Network’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the UAE.
This initiative is set to facilitate seamless transactions for Indian tourists across Network International’s extensive merchant network in the UAE. With over 200,000 POS terminals and more than 60,000 merchants in sectors including retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets, UPI acceptance will be rolled out progressively. Key establishments like retail stores, dining outlets, and tourist attractions such as Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates will be included in this rollout.
The collaboration aligns with the UAE’s vision to bolster its status as a top tourist destination and global commerce hub. The number of Indian tourists traveling to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is projected to reach 9.8 million in 2024, with the UAE expecting 5.29 million arrivals from India. This growth is driven by factors such as business, employment, and leisure travel.
UPI, India’s largest instant payments system with over 350 million active users, processed 14.04 billion transactions in May 2024 alone. By enabling UPI acceptance through its POS terminals, Network will provide a QR-based, safe, and secure method for facilitating cross-border payments. This will allow Indian tourists and NRIs with Indian bank accounts to use UPI for payments across Network’s POS terminals in the UAE.
Nandan Mer, Group CEO of Network International, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are delighted to partner with NPCI International Payments Limited to strengthen the payments ecosystem for Indians visiting or working in the UAE. By enabling customers to pay in their preferred method, we are one step closer to realizing our vision to empower businesses and merchants with the latest payment technologies and strengthening the vision of a digital UAE. We are confident that this partnership will drive a robust digital payments ecosystem in the country that will increase cashless transactions.”
Jamal Al Nassai, Group Managing Director for Merchant Services – Middle East and North Africa at Network International, highlighted the benefits for merchants: “The launch of this partnership is a milestone for our extensive merchant network, which stands to benefit immensely from the new payment method. As the leading acquirer in the region, Network will leverage its 30-year legacy of technological innovation to enable acceptance of UPI-based payment apps to its merchants to drive global interoperability.”
Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration: “Our partnership with Network International will deepen UPI’s presence in the UAE. By growing UPI payment acceptance across merchants in the UAE, we are not only providing Indian travelers with a seamless and familiar payment experience, but also promoting the use of innovative digital payment solutions internationally. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to driving technological advancement and creating a more connected global payment ecosystem.”
This partnership marks a significant step in enhancing the digital payment landscape, offering Indian tourists in the UAE a convenient and secure payment option while supporting the UAE’s broader digital economy goals.
