Botim Launches UAE’s First Fintech Jaywan Prepaid Card for Workforce Financial Inclusion

Botim has become the first fintech platform in the UAE to issue a prepaid card under the Jaywan national card scheme. By integrating with the country’s digital payroll network, the launch aims to bring sovereign payment infrastructure to millions of workers, enhancing financial inclusion through secure, locally processed domestic transactions.

What was announced

The launch of the Botim One Jaywan Prepaid Card marks the first time a non-bank fintech in the UAE has issued cards under the national Jaywan scheme. Developed to serve the country’s extensive workforce, the card is specifically designed to integrate with the Wage Protection System (WPS). As a financial institution accredited by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), Botim allows employers to disburse salaries directly into the platform’s digital ecosystem, which employees can then access via the physical or digital Jaywan card.

The card functions across all point-of-sale terminals and e-commerce channels within the UAE, with domestic transactions routed and processed locally through infrastructure managed by Al Etihad Payments. The product features multilingual digital onboarding and removes traditional barriers to entry by requiring no minimum salary or minimum account balance. Beyond domestic spending, the card provides access to Botim’s broader financial suite, including remittances to over 170 international destinations, fractional investments in gold and silver starting from AED 10, and various credit products for eligible users.

The rollout is structured in phases, initially targeting more than 200,000 workers through Botim’s existing corporate payroll relationships and partnerships with local exchange houses. Following this initial deployment, the platform aims to scale the offering to reach up to 4 million workers across the UAE, aligning with national strategies to digitize the economy and secure domestic payment data.

"The UAE continues to set a clear direction for the future of financial services by investing in infrastructure that is efficient, resilient and built for long-term national growth. Jaywan marks an important step in strengthening the country’s payments ecosystem, supporting financial inclusion and advancing the UAE’s digital transformation. Botim is proud to contribute to this national priority by supporting wider adoption of the scheme among workforce communities that are central to the UAE's economy."

Dr. Tariq BinHendi, CEO of Botim

The companies involved

Botim is the UAE’s primary "ultra-app," operating under its parent company, Astra Tech. Originally known as a VoIP and messaging service, it has evolved into a comprehensive fintech platform with a user base exceeding 8.5 million people in the UAE. Under Astra Tech’s leadership, the platform has aggressively expanded into retail, payments, and remittance services, positioning itself as a central hub for the region's digital daily life.

Al Etihad Payments is a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), established to develop and operate the nation’s financial market infrastructure. Its primary mandate is the management of Jaywan, the UAE’s domestic card scheme. By providing a local alternative to international card networks, Al Etihad Payments aims to enhance the sovereignty of the UAE’s financial system, ensuring that domestic card transactions are processed within the country. This infrastructure is a cornerstone of the UAE’s Financial Infrastructure Transformation Programme, designed to lower transaction costs for merchants and provide tailored financial products for the local market.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed the rapid integration of the Jaywan scheme into the UAE’s commercial landscape. In September 2026, we covered how Etihad Airways Becomes First Airline to Accept UAE Domestic Jaywan Card Payments, a move that signaled the scheme's readiness for high-value travel transactions. This was supported by infrastructure updates, including when Mastercard and noon payments Launch Jaywan Card Acceptance via Mastercard Gateway and Checkout.com Boosts UAE Payments with Native Jaywan Card Scheme Integration. Additionally, Botim’s role as a cross-border hub was highlighted when Botim Partners with Orange Egypt to Enable Direct UAE-to-Egypt Digital Wallet Remittances, demonstrating the platform's focus on the expatriate workforce.

What this means

This announcement represents a significant shift in the UAE’s payment hierarchy. By moving Jaywan issuance into the hands of a fintech with massive reach among the unbanked and underbanked workforce, the UAE is successfully challenging the dominance of international card schemes for domestic volume. For the industry, this proves that national card schemes gain the most traction when tied to essential services like payroll (WPS) rather than just general consumer spending. It places traditional banks under pressure to match the low-friction, multilingual onboarding of fintech challengers. The move also raises questions for international networks about how they will maintain domestic relevance as sovereign infrastructures become the default for local transactions.