AlfaNow Teams Up with Al Fardan Exchange to Revolutionise UAE Payments

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 22-04-2026

4 min

AlfaNow enters the UAE, partnering with Al Fardan Exchange nationwide.

Customers can send money to 125 countries via 4,300 banking partners.

The deal blends “global rails” with local trust and 92 branches.

Both sides stress seamless, reliable transfers in a key remittance corridor.

AlfaNow plans further GCC expansion, building steady groundwork in payments.

AlfaNow has taken a clear step into the UAE market, signing Al Fardan Exchange as its first partner in the country. The agreement means customers can now access AlfaNow’s cross-border payment services across more than 92 Al Fardan Exchange branches nationwide.

On paper, it’s a straightforward partnership. In practice, it plugs AlfaNow’s international infrastructure into one of the UAE’s most established exchange house networks. Customers will be able to send money to over 125 countries, supported by AlfaNow’s network of more than 4,300 banking partners and 160,000-plus payout locations worldwide.

I’ve spent years watching how remittance corridors shape daily life in this region. For millions of people here, sending money home isn’t a luxury, it’s a monthly ritual. And let’s be honest, when the process is slow or clunky, it’s more than just a bit of a faff. So any move that promises smoother transfers tends to get attention.

Hasan Jaber, Chief Executive Officer at AlfaNow, said the logic behind the partnership goes beyond technology. Cross-border payments, he noted, are ultimately about keeping people and businesses connected across economies. By working with Al Fardan Exchange, a brand trusted across the UAE, AlfaNow can extend its global infrastructure through a physical network that understands customers on the ground. The aim, he explained, is to make international money movement more seamless, reliable and accessible.

The timing makes sense. The UAE remains one of the world’s most significant remittance corridors, driven by its diverse population and globally connected economy. Customers increasingly expect transfers that are not only secure and fast, but also available through channels they already use and trust. Digital-first platforms are rising, yes, but brick-and-mortar networks still matter a great deal here.

Al Fardan Exchange, established in 1971 and part of a group whose roots go back to 1954, brings that physical reach. With over 92 branches across the Emirates and relationships with more than 150 global correspondent banks and financial institutions, it has long positioned itself as a dependable bridge between the UAE and overseas markets. Its AlfaPay app already supports digital transfers and payments, blending legacy infrastructure with newer platforms.

Hasan Fardan Al Fardan, Chief Executive Officer of Al Fardan Exchange, said the partnership reflects a long-term commitment to customer-focused innovation. For more than five decades, he said, the organisation has aimed to understand local customer needs while expanding its global reach. This collaboration, in his view, strengthens its ability to offer internationally connected solutions without losing the human touch that defines its approach.

That combination, global rails with local trust, is what both sides seem to be banking on. And believe it or not, in a sector where compliance, scale and reliability can make or break a company, regulatory credentials also matter. AlfaNow is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE, positioning itself as a platform built for organisations that need transparency and dependable cross-border flows.

At Arageek, we often talk about startups trying to go global from day one. It’s exciting, but it’s no walk in the park. Payments infrastructure, in particular, can definately make life easier or much harder for scaling businesses. On that front, partnerships like this could quietly play a big role in enabling SMEs and entrepreneurs who rely on fast, cross-border transactions.

AlfaNow says it plans to continue expanding across the GCC and beyond in the months ahead, pursuing additional partnerships as it builds its footprint. Whether it becomes the platform of choice in such a crowded field remains to be seen — I’m not a fan of bold claims before results, but this first UAE tie-up is a solid, and arguably spot on, beginning.

In a market where trust is everything and convenience is king, bringing together an established exchange house and a digital-first payments platform feels less like a flashy headline and more like steady groundwork. And sometimes, that’s exactly what the ecosystem needs.

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