E-Paper
Sign In
Pay with your face: UAE introduces region's first biometric payment method
The Central Bank said the pilot is being tested in a controlled environment to assess security, efficiency and operational readiness before any wider rollout
- PUBLISHED: Wed 28 Jan 2026, 11:04 AM
- By:
- Sahim Salim
- Share:
Your face and palm could soon become your payment method, with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) introducing the region’s first biometric payment solution.
Currently in its proof-of-concept phase, the initiative is being demonstrated at the Dubai Land Department, allowing customers to make payments by authenticating their identity through facial or palm biometrics, eliminating the need for physical cards or mobile devices.
Recommended For You
No timeline has been announced for expanding the system beyond the pilot phase. The pilot is being rolled out through the CBUAE’s Sandbox Programme and Innovation Hub at the Emirates Institute of Finance, in collaboration with Network International. The solution is powered by PopID.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels
The Central Bank said the pilot is being tested in a controlled environment to assess security, efficiency and operational readiness before any wider rollout.
Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the CBUAE, said biometric payments could enhance transaction security while improving customer experience.
Network International chief executive Murat Cagri Suzer said biometric payments are expected to play a growing role in digital commerce as financial institutions explore alternatives to traditional payment methods.
As Associate Editor, Sahim Salim helps tell the UAE story like no one else does — and leads a team of reporters that asks the questions to get news and headlines that matter.
