«Al Etihad Payments», a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE, announced the results of its «Anni» instant payment platform, which has marked a qualitative leap in the infrastructure of the national payment systems and an exceptional development in the digital transformation landscape of the UAE, solidifying its position as the fastest and most secure instant payment system in the region. The results reflect the accelerating steps towards a developed «cashless» economy, with the platform becoming the cornerstone for daily financial transactions and transfers for individuals and companies. Recent operational indicators highlight the growing confidence in the platform, as the number of registered users has surpassed 12.5 million, benefiting from a high-efficiency network that includes 74 licensed financial institutions. The platform is currently integrated with 85% of banks, 10% of exchange companies, and 5% of digital wallets and finance companies, ensuring comprehensive and seamless interoperability through the national financial system. In a clear sign of the rapid acceleration towards national digital payment options, «Anni» has recorded an exceptional growth of 6 times in the number of transfers on an annual basis, while maintaining a steady average monthly growth of 10% during 2025. The platform has become an essential part of the daily financial behavior in the country, with approximately 25,000 transfers being executed daily using only mobile numbers, confirming its success in simplifying financial operations and making them more flexible and reliable. The achievements of «Anni» have extended to a wide range of businesses, with about 774,000 commercial establishments in the country adopting the platform as a primary payment solution. The platform enables companies of all sizes to execute and settle financial transactions between accounts instantly, with an average processing time of no more than three seconds, which contributes to enhancing cash flows and increasing the operational efficiency of institutions. The platform continues to develop its services to meet user needs, with current features including payments via QR code, a pay request service, money transfers using a phone number or UAE identity, and managing multiple accounts from different banks and digital wallets through a single application. Additional services are expected to be launched, including cross-border payments, direct electronic debit, electronic checks, and corporate-to-corporate payments, which will expand the scope of benefits for users—individuals and all sectors of business and institutions. Seif Hamid Al Zahrani, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank for Banking Operations and Support Services, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of «Al Etihad Payments», stated: «The rapid growth in the usage rates of «Anni» embodies the increasing trust of customers in the security and efficiency of our national system, and reinforces its position as one of the leading national solutions in the world of payments. We are committed to enhancing the Central Bank's contribution to shaping the future of the country's digital economy by enabling individuals and companies to access instant and seamless payment services that enhance the sustainability and efficiency of the UAE's financial sector».
