Network International (NI) has been active in the digital payments sector for more than three decades, empowering financial institutions (FIs) such as banks, fintechs, digital banks, and mobile network operators (MNOs), along with merchants, with cutting-edge payment methods and acceptance solutions. NI supports over 250 FIs and more than 120,000 merchants across 50 countries in the Middle East and Africa, making it the leading payment processor in the region. Within the UAE, the company serves over 30 clients utilizing its processing services for debit, credit, prepaid, commercial cards, and acquiring, in addition to directly acquiring for over 50,000 merchants in the country.
"Beyond our issuing and acquiring processing solutions, we offer enhanced services including advanced security measures, real-time fraud detection, biometric authentication, and self-service options for customers to manage their limits and channels. We stay ahead of payment trends by consistently investing in innovative offerings like Data Lake, Real-Time Data Streaming, Hyper-Personalized AI-based loyalty programs, RPA tools, Digital Wallets, and Alternative Payment Methods," explains Navneet Dave, Managing Director and Co-Head of Outsourced Payment Services – Middle East at Network International. NI facilitates the connection between FIs and merchants through its advanced platform, linking to local and regional switches, as well as domestic and international schemes like UAE Switch, GCC Net, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, JCB, Amex, among others. The recent introduction of the Jaywan domestic scheme in the UAE, a strategic move by Al Etihad Payments (a subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank), underscores NI's full commitment to promoting this domestic payment infrastructure.
Named "a precious pearl," Jaywan is designed to align the domestic payment infrastructure with the UAE's needs, with all rules, standards, and infrastructure defined and hosted locally, ensuring financial stability and independence from external providers. Al Etihad Payments, in collaboration with NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India), utilized their technology to launch Jaywan, giving them direct control over the scheme, which will enhance financial inclusion and cost-efficiency for UAE issuers and merchants. "Upon hearing about the UAE's domestic national scheme initiative, we promptly offered our full support, leveraging our expertise and technological capabilities as a direct merchant acquirer and issuer processor to both the CBUAE and Al Etihad Payments. NI is dedicated to advancing the national agenda and is proud to be at the forefront of acquiring and processing Jaywan cards. We have also made substantial investments in system certification to enable our clients to issue Jaywan cards," Dave details. The Jaywan card is expected to achieve interoperability soon and is currently positioned as a cost-effective domestic debit card program, offering cardholders a range of benefits, safety, and ease of use, all under the CBUAE's protection and security.
According to Dave, Jaywan reflects the UAE's economic maturity and digital competitiveness, significantly reducing costs and facilitating a deeper integration of digital transactions, thereby boosting the country's digital economy. "Certification for the roll-out of Jaywan has been crucial for us. We are dedicating time and resources to ensure its success. All our terminals accept Jaywan, and we will continue to provide our value-added services, resulting in excellent offers for Jaywan cardholders through the banks," Dave assures. Banks and FIs can rely on Network International's advanced, innovative payment solutions, committed to delivering a secure, seamless digital payment experience for all partners in the UAE and MEA region.
