Biggest international and domestic payment card schemes in the UAE 2016-2022

According to a report released by PPRO, Visa dominated the card scheme landscape in the United Arab Emirates in 2022, capturing the majority market share at 56 percent. Mastercard followed closely behind with a 39 percent share. 

E-commerce market in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is considered a powerhouse in the region, with the e-commerce market size forecasted to reach 17 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. This growth can be attributed to the country's efforts to diversify its economy and decrease reliance on oil exports. Consumers in the UAE have access to a wide range of online shopping websites, including popular platforms like Amazon and Groupon. As of the third quarter of 2022, approximately 62.3 percent of internet users in the UAE engaged in online purchases, while around 37 percent of online consumers did online grocery shopping. Additionally, consumers are increasingly shifting towards everyday e-commerce spending in business, government, and education sectors.

Payment preferences among consumers

The availability of secure and reliable online payment gateways is crucial to ensure a seamless and trustworthy shopping experience for consumers. The most popular online payment method among consumers in the UAE in 2023 was payment by card, accounting for approximately 48 percent of online transactions, with Visa emerging as the prevailing card scheme during that period. This indicates a high level of trust and convenience in using cards for online purchases. In that year, Wallets came second, accounting for 23 percent of the total online transactions.