Ant International, a Singapore-based company that offers digital payments, digitization, and financial technology services, announced on Monday two significant achievements that show big progress in its expansion in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The firm said in a statement that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and received In-Principle Approval (IPA) for the Stored Value Facilities (SVF) and the Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS) licenses from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).
These steps show Ant International’s strong commitment to helping the Central Bank’s digital transformation plans and supporting the UAE’s fintech industry.
The company’s agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) strengthens its ties with the UAE. It will use its technology to help grow Abu Dhabi’s fintech sector, give local businesses advanced digital tools, and promote financial inclusion while improving connections between the UAE and the rest of the world.
“With progressive regulation, robust digital infrastructure and a strategic location, Abu Dhabi is a key jurisdiction for fintech firms that operate globally and seek to partner for longevity,” said H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO.
“This agreement with Ant International reflects a broader inflection point in digital finance, where scale is no longer just about reach, but about resilience, trust and regulatory clarity,”
“More than just welcoming global fintech players to join our thriving financial ecosystem, Abu Dhabi is actively shaping digital innovation for the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Peng Yang, Chief Executive Officer of Ant International, said the support from ADIO has been instrumental in helping them establish their presence in Abu Dhabi.
“This strategic collaborative relationship is foundational to our mission to empower local businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and connect them to new global growth opportunities,” he added.
According to the statement, in-principle approval for CBUAE’s SVF and RPSC licenses is a prerequisite for obtaining the full licenses required to introduce Ant International’s innovative fintech solutions to the country.
Once it gets the final licenses, Ant International will be able to offer a full range of payment and related services in the UAE.
These will include merchant acquiring, payment aggregation e-wallet services, and both domestic and international money transfers. This will support the country’s digital growth and align with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ plan for digitalization and fintech development.
“Receiving this In-Principle Approval from the Central Bank of the UAE is a testament to our productive collaboration and shared vision for a digitally-driven, inclusive economy,
“We are grateful for the guidance and support of CBUAE’s Fintech Office as we work to bring our AI-powered fintech solutions spanning merchant services, wallet technology, and digitization tools to help scale the UAE’s growth,” said Yang.
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