{
  "id": 9133460,
  "title": "India's PhonePe set to enter UAE payments market in international push",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/indias-phonepe-set-to-enter-uae-payments-market-in-international-push",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-22T11:03:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/money/2026/09/22/phonepes-uae-launch-will-widen-payment-options-for-indian-expats/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian digital payments firm PhonePe is set to expand into the UAE's payments market, marking its first international venture. The company has received preliminary approval from the UAE Central Bank for retail payment services, card schemes and stored-value facilities. This move aims to simplify payment activities for the country's largest expat community - Indians living in the Emirates. PhonePe has been operating in the UAE since 2024, enabling travelers from India to make payments via QR code-based Unified Payments Interface at Mashreq’s Neopay terminals. CEO Ritesh Pai stated that PhonePe intends to promote economic and trade connections among the UAE, India and global markets, while providing enhanced everyday payment experiences. The company is working towards obtaining final approval from UAE authorities, though no specific timeline has been provided. PhonePe's entry into the UAE strengthens the country's strategy of utilizing cross-border digital payment platforms, already supported by services like Aani and Jaywan. With an estimated 4.3 million Indians living, working and traveling in the Emirates, the move could make digital payments more seamless for Indians, businesses and travelers alike. PhonePe aims to integrate deeply with local banks, payment service providers and technology vendors to advance the UAE's cashless economy vision.",
  "summary": "Indian digital payments company PhonePe is set to enter its first international market in the UAE, in a move expected to further ease payment activities for the Emirates' biggest expat community . The company received in-principle approval from the UAE Central Bank for retail payment services and card schemes, as well as stored-value facilities, which would allow Indians in the Emirates to pay…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}