Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has launched its global “Agentic Ready” programme in the UAE, aiming to support growing industry demand for AI-powered commerce solutions.
The initiative is part of a wider rollout across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA).
Visa’s Agentic Ready programme is designed to prepare financial institutions for the next stage of commerce, where AI agents can assist consumers in discovering, selecting, and completing purchases on their behalf, while ensuring trust, control, and security within the Visa network.
In its initial phase, the programme allows issuers to test and validate agent-initiated transactions in a controlled, production-grade environment, paving the way for broader adoption as demand increases.
Several leading UAE financial institutions have already joined the initiative, including Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Al Ansari Exchange, Emirates Islamic, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Tabby, Wio, and Ziina, reflecting the strength of the country’s evolving payments ecosystem.
Fadi Moukkadem, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, said there is growing interest in how AI can improve everyday commerce while maintaining strong focus on trust, security, and real-world application. He added that Visa’s programme provides issuers with a practical pathway to prepare for this next evolution in payments.
The launch aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of building a future-ready digital economy supported by advanced infrastructure, innovation-friendly regulation, and ongoing efforts toward a cashless society.
According to research by Fast Company Middle East in collaboration with Visa, nearly 60% of UAE businesses are actively exploring or strongly interested in AI-driven commerce solutions.
The study also found that businesses view agentic commerce as a growth driver, with 33% prioritising customer loyalty and retention, and 28% focusing on revenue growth.
