The last couple of years have been a very interesting period in the world of finance. New technologies. New initiatives. Pretty much everything in this world has been evolving at a staggering rate.

My first encounter with the world of mobile-based payments was back in 2016 when India saw a massive adoption of an instant Real-Time based payments system called UPI. Where the regular banking systems failed, mobile payments bridged the gap.
2017 was an interesting year for the UAE as we saw the launches of both Apple and Samsung pay in the region with cash slowly becoming a thing of the past.

One of the leading banks in the country recently reported that during the pandemic, there was a surge in contactless payments being adopted by consumers. The figure you ask? 84 percent of all face-to-face transactions are now being done through contactless payment solutions.

So what does the future hold for us in this world of mobile-based payments?

Hello empay.

In simple words, empay is an easy-to-use, swift, and secure digital way for faster payments. They pride themselves in being the world’s first contactless lifestyle payment ecosystem with instant credit solutions. As an initiative by the Department of Economic Development (DED), Empay has been designed and developed within UAE’s Smart Government program framework.

Think of it as your go-to app for all your payment requirements. Order food online? Check. Pay your utility bills? Check. What about school fees? Absolutely. Nol Card and Salik Recharges? Bingo. It’s kind of hard to imagine what this app CANT do.

Empay isn’t just a digital wallet but an entire ecosystem that in a nutshell makes life easier for consumers as a fully integrated solution.

Simple Interface. Out-of-the-world deals.

One of the things I truly appreciate about the empay app is the user experience. All you need is a few basic details to get going. You set a secure pin and voila! Everything you need at a glance. Load funds to your wallet using your debit/credit card, UAE Payment Gateway Service, or just a regular bank transfer.

You can then use the funds for in-app payments like ordering food or transferring money to your loved ones abroad or transferring it to other empay wallet users. Empay also allows you to make payments via Tap-to-pay (Android only) or via scanning QR codes at a merchant establishment. The idea is pretty simple. Don’t just pay. empay it. The Empay app can also be used to pay for Empay’s Homeschooling classes so it truly is a one-stop solution for all your payment needs.

From restaurants like Al Reef Lebanese serving lip-smacking middle eastern mixed grills to authentic desi cuisine from Rasoi Ghar, you’ve got it all.

What caught my eye though were the deals with the most recent one being AED 10 meals with free delivery.

Not just for consumers.

It’s important to understand that to facilitate the region's transition to a truly cashless society, it needs to work both ways. We also need more and more businesses to incorporate these solutions so that it becomes a win-win for everyone. Whether you’re a small business or a multi-chain restaurant, empay has you covered through their partner program so that you too can be a part of the future with the perpetually growing empay family. The more payment methods you incorporate in your business giving customers the flexibility to choose from, the better it is going to be in the long run.

Empay enables you to renew your DED trade license and this is just the tip of the iceberg for what is to come. The empay team is already working on some features that will be rolled out in future software updates so keep a lookout at their social media pages for all the major announcements.

Empay is available to download from both the iOS and Android App Stores.