The UAE’s national instant payments platform Aani has surpassed 12.5 million users, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward a digitally integrated financial ecosystem. Developed by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the platform reflects a broader shift in the design and infrastructure of financial services.
Designing a Cash-Light Financial Ecosystem
The latest operational data highlights the rapid adoption of Aani, supported by a connectivity network that includes 74 licensed financial institutions. As a result, the platform has become a central interface for daily financial interactions across the UAE. Its integration with 85 percent of banks, alongside exchange houses, digital wallets, and finance companies, ensures a high level of interoperability within the national system.
Consequently, Aani plays a defining role in shaping a cash-light economy, where digital transactions replace traditional payment methods. The platform now facilitates everyday transfers for individuals and businesses, reinforcing its position as a key infrastructural layer within the financial landscape.
User Experience and Transaction Design
Aani’s growth is closely tied to its streamlined user experience. The platform recorded a sixfold year-on-year increase in transfers, while maintaining an average monthly growth rate of 10 percent throughout 2025. Notably, around 25,000 daily transactions are executed using mobile numbers alone, underscoring the shift toward simplified, identity-based payments.
Moreover, the system enables near-instant account-to-account transfers, with transactions completed in under three seconds. This efficiency enhances cash flow management for businesses while reducing friction in everyday financial activity. Approximately 774,000 merchants have adopted the platform, further embedding it within commercial operations.
The platform’s design integrates multiple functionalities, including QR code payments, Request to Pay services, and the ability to manage accounts across banks and digital wallets within a single interface. Therefore, Aani consolidates fragmented financial tools into a unified digital experience.
Expanding Capabilities and Future Integration
Looking ahead, Aani is set to expand its service offering with features such as cross-border payments, electronic direct debit, e-cheques, and business-to-business transactions. These additions will further extend its role across personal and enterprise finance. As a result, the platform continues to evolve as a scalable infrastructure for the UAE’s digital economy.
“The rapid growth in Aani’s usage rates reflects customers’ growing confidence in the security and efficiency of our national payment ecosystem, and further reinforces its position as one of the UAE’s leading national payment solutions,” said Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri.
He added, “We remain committed to strengthening the Central Bank’s contribution to shaping the future of the UAE’s digital economy by enabling individuals and businesses to access seamless and instant payment services that enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the UAE’s financial sector.”
Ultimately, Aani’s expansion illustrates how digital infrastructure is reshaping financial behavior. By prioritizing speed, accessibility, and integration, the platform exemplifies how design and technology converge to support a more efficient and connected economic environment.
