NPCI International & Network International enable UPI payment acceptance in UAE

By Gloria Mathias

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), in partnership with Network International (Network), has enabled the acceptance of QR code-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments via the Network’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the UAE.

This initiative ensures seamless and secure transactions for Indian tourists and non-resident Indians (NRIs) across Network International’s vast merchant network in the UAE.

The Network has over 200,000 POS terminals across 60,000+ merchants in sectors including retail, hospitality, transport, and supermarkets. UPI acceptance will be rolled out progressively, covering a wide range of establishments, including retail stores and dining outlets, as well as tourist and leisure attractions, including Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates.

Indian tourists travelling to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are projected to increase to 9.8 million in 2024, with the UAE anticipating 5.29 million arrivals from India. The growth is driven by various factors, including business and leisure.

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 the Network’s POS terminals in the UAE.

Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NPCI International, said, “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 travellers 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.”

Nandan Mer, Group CEO of Network International, said, “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 realising 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 payment ecosystem in the country that will increase cashless transactions.”