Dubai Customs has reported that cashless payments accounted for 99.3 per cent of its total payment transactions in the first half of 2026, supporting the emirate’s efforts to move towards a fully cashless economy.
The figure compares with 99.4 per cent in 2025 and 99.2 per cent in 2024, highlighting the continued adoption of digital payment services across customs operations.
The results support Dubai’s wider Cashless Strategy, which aims to simplify transactions, improve customer experiences and make doing business more efficient. Dubai Customs said its digital payment systems and infrastructure have helped provide customers with a secure and convenient payment experience.
The announcement follows the Dubai Department of Finance’s statement on October 9 that the main targets of the Dubai Cashless Strategy had been achieved. Launched in October 2024 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the strategy aims to accelerate the adoption of digital payments across the emirate.
Dubai’s cashless transactions index reached 90.1 per cent, exceeding the target set for 2026, while the digital enablement index in the government sector reached 100 per cent. The Department of Finance also recognised Dubai Customs’ contribution to the strategy through its digital transformation initiatives and efforts to encourage cashless payments.