emirates7 - The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Mastercard have formed a groundbreaking partnership to launch the Digital Partnership Programme in Abu Dhabi, aiming to boost the emirate's economic growth and improve government services using Mastercard’s payment infrastructure. The agreement was signed during Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) and is part of Mastercard's Digital Country Partnership (DCP) initiative. This program offers a framework for collaboration to address key economic and innovation challenges through advanced technologies in payments, security, and artificial intelligence.

The Abu Dhabi Digital Partnership Programme will focus on introducing cutting-edge financial technologies to digitize government payment systems, support the growth of SMEs, and empower fintech companies through Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem. Additionally, Mastercard's Advanced AI Centre of Excellence will work with ADIO to develop AI and blockchain products, benefiting sectors like gaming and others poised for growth.

Both parties will collaborate to identify business opportunities within Mastercard’s portfolio that can serve global markets, co-developing financial solutions that leverage Abu Dhabi’s financial infrastructure and supportive business ecosystem. They will also work with local stakeholders to promote payment digitalization, providing tailored financial products, including prepaid cards for the unbanked and prepaid travel cards for Abu Dhabi's growing expatriate and traveler populations. These solutions are aimed at fostering global impact and establishing Abu Dhabi as a leader in financial services.

Badr Al-Olama, Director-General of ADIO, emphasized that this collaboration aligns with Abu Dhabi’s digital economy goals, aiming to empower SMEs, attract global talent, and strengthen the tourism sector. Dr. Dimitrios Dosis, President of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Mastercard, highlighted the partnership's role in driving economic growth and financial inclusion in Abu Dhabi.