UAE Swift User Group Reaffirms Commitment to Digital Payments and Banking Transformation

The Steering Committee and National Swift User Group  in the UAE held their regular meeting on 8 December 2025, chaired by Jamal Saleh, Director General of the UAE Banks Federation (UBF) and Chairman of the UAE Swift User Group Committee. The meeting focused on the continued development of digital payment systems and banking operations under the direct supervision of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).

During the session, committee members reiterated their commitment to supporting digital transformation and enhancing the UAE’s financial infrastructure. The group aims to meet customer requirements, boost confidence in the banking sector, and advance the objectives of the National Payments Strategy and the Financial Infrastructure Transformation Programme, which seek to accelerate digitalization and strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for banking, finance, and international trade.

The meeting reviewed recent initiatives by the Steering Committee to improve payment operations, increase the efficiency and security of bank transfers, and leverage CBUAE’s legislative and regulatory frameworks to support technological progress and innovation. Participants highlighted the role of UBF in positioning the UAE to host SIBOS 2029, the world’s leading banking operations conference organized annually by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT). The committee confirmed its commitment to work closely with UBF and strategic partners—including the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)—to ensure the event reflects the UAE’s leadership in financial services.

Established in 2021, the Steering Committee and National Swift User Group were the first of their kind in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Since then, they have played a central role in enhancing the efficiency and security of banking transfers, improving payment operations, and providing a platform for knowledge sharing and decision-making support. The group allows UAE banks to benefit from global SWIFT expertise to advance banking operations and develop professional capabilities across the UAE financial sector.

Additionally, the SWIFT Users Training Centre, operating under the UBF, is the first of its kind in MENA. It organizes training programs to certify banking employees on the SWIFT system, supporting member banks and financial institutions in building expertise and strengthening digital payment capabilities.

The meeting emphasized ongoing efforts to foster partnerships between banks and fintech companies, develop innovative payment solutions, and maintain compliance with local and international regulations, reinforcing the UAE’s strategic priorities in digital finance and global trade.