Aani crosses 12.5 million users in UAE
Aani, the UAE’s national instant payments platform, has exceeded 12.5 million users, according to Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). This milestone highlights the growing adoption of real-time bank transfers as a mainstream method for payments and receipts across the country.
Al Etihad Payments reported that recent operational data reveals a rapid increase in usage, with transfers rising sixfold and merchant adoption expanding to 774,000 across the UAE. This update highlights Aani as a rapidly growing component of the nation’s essential payments infrastructure, alongside cards and digital wallets.
Aani facilitates near real-time money transfers that occur directly between bank accounts, significantly reducing the delays and friction often associated with traditional bank transfer methods. Functioning as national payment rails under the oversight of a Central Bank-linked entity, this innovative platform is purposefully designed to scale effortlessly across a wide range of banks and merchants, all operating on a unified and standardized network infrastructure.
For the UAE economy, a broader adoption of Aani instant payments accelerates the transition to a more digital, cash-light market, particularly in high-frequency sectors like groceries, food and beverage, delivery, and everyday services. For SMEs, faster settlements enhance cash flow visibility and minimize manual reconciliation efforts by ensuring payments arrive promptly and reliably.
For consumers, the key change is significant: as more locations now accept account-to-account payments, allowing transfers to be completed in seconds instead of waiting for processing times. As more merchants adopt this system, instant payments become increasingly valuable beyond person-to-person transfers, gradually replacing cash for everyday purchases.
- Platform: Aani, the UAE’s national instant payments platform
- Announced by: Al Etihad Payments (subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE)
- Latest user milestone: 12.5 million users
- Network scale: Transfers up sixfold; 774,000 merchants on the network
Aani now serves 774,000 merchants across the UAE, expanding instant payments beyond person-to-person transfers into everyday retail and services.
Check with your bank’s app or digital banking channels to see how Aani instant payments are enabled and where you can use them for transfers and merchant payments.
