RAKBANK and Network International Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost UAE Digital Payments

Mohammed Fathy

Last updated 27-03-2026

3 min

RAKBANK and Network International completed their UAE merchant acquiring transaction after regulatory approval.

Network will roll out payment solutions for SMEs and corporates across RAKBANK’s base.

The deal strengthens digital infrastructure in a market where cashless is “second nature”.

SMEs should benefit from streamlined services, easing integration, compliance and cost pressures.

Both sides aim to boost innovation as the payments battleground heats up.

RAKBANK and Network International have now formally completed their merchant acquiring transaction in the UAE, following regulatory clearance from the Central Bank. The move comes several months after the two sides first announced their strategic partnership in late November 2025, and it signals a deeper push into the country’s fast-evolving digital payments landscape.

Under the agreement, Network International will roll out its payment solutions to serve RAKBANK’s merchant base, covering both SMEs and large corporates. The idea is straightforward: strengthen RAKBANK’s offering in a market where digital payments are no longer a “nice to have” but a must. And in the UAE, where contactless and online transactions have become second nature, that’s spot on.

From what has been shared, Network will also bring in value-added services designed to support the SME ecosystem, aligning with the UAE’s broader Digital Economy Strategy. SMEs, as many founders across the region know all too well, often find payments infrastructure a bit of a faff, between integration, compliance, and cost. So any effort to streamline this has real impact, not just nice press release wording.

The transaction also gives Network International greater reach in Ras Al Khaimah, an emirate that is steadily carving out a bigger economic role. There’s growing merchant demand there for digital commerce solutions, and this partnership positions both sides to tap into that upswing. On the flip side, competition in the UAE’s payments space is fierce, and staying ahead will require more than just scale, it will demand constant innovation.

Both organisations have indicated they will work closely with existing merchants to ensure a smooth transition to the new system. That continuity matters. Anyone who’s run a small business knows changing payment providers can feel risky, well… I mean, even minor settlement delays can throw off cash flow projections.

The broader picture here is about capability. This milestone underscores a shared intention to enhance payment infrastructure and drive innovation across the Emirates. RAKBANK, for its part, continues to highlight its strong capital and liquidity position, among the highest in the UAE banking sector, reinforcing its ability to back customers while investing in future growth.

Founded in 1976, RAKBANK, formally known as the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah (P.S.C), remains majority-owned by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and is listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. It operates 21 branches across the UAE and offers personal, wholesale, and business banking services, alongside Sharia-compliant solutions through RAKislamic.

The bank has been vocal about its ambition to be a “digital bank with a human touch.” I reckon that balancing act, technology without losing personal connection, is something many financial institutions claim, but few truly deliver. That said, partnerships like this can be a practical step in that direction rather than just marketing language.

For founders and merchants reading on Arageek, this is another reminder that the payments battleground in MENA is only getting hotter. Infrastructure deals like this might not always make dramatic headlines, but they shape the rails on which startups build. And believe it or not, having reliable acquiring solutions in place can make or break early traction.

In a region racing towards a more digital-first economy, this development feels timely. It will be intresting to watch how the partnership translates into tangible benefits for merchants on the ground in the months ahead.

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