DubaiCard launched: Activate with Emirates ID

A UAE-focused prepaid card called ‘DubaiCard’ was unveiled at a prepaid payment industry forum yesterday.

DubaiCard can be instantly issued and activated from the self-service kiosks, and its holders are able to make cashless payments – within the UAE and worldwide, at Point-Of-Sale (POS), as well as at ATMs and online.

The card, which was unveiled at yesterday’s Prepaid Summit: Middle East, is a tripartite effort from newly-launched National Pay, together with kiosk-based solutions provider Atam, and e-money solutions provider Tuxedo Money Solutions.

“DubaiCard uses a new-to-sector technology, called Smart Issuance. We make use of the full KYC (Know Your Customer) strategy that is so well-tested in the banking and finance sector,” said Graham Foster, Atam’s CEO.

He said that the new cardholder’s profile is taken from their personal Emirates Identity Card, and also through a passport reader.

The trio are calling DubaiCard ‘an unrivalled payment option’, as Tuxedo’s Frank Creighton and Atam’s Foster introduced the concept, complete with a fully operational kiosk, to the Summit’s 150-plus delegates.

“Commencing from April this year, customers will be able to apply for personalised DubaiCards. Every card can be instantly issued, topped up with funds and activated via National Pay Smart Kiosks which will be strategically located throughout the UAE, starting with Dubai,” said Creighton.

National Pay’s Managing Director Rashid AlKetbi said the initiative will kick off with 200 kiosks in Dubai, followed by expansion to all other emirates. He confirmed that a GCC rollout is planned in phase two.

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