Visa announced the launch of its global Agentic Ready program in the UAE, supporting the growing demand for AI-driven commerce solutions and next-generation digital payments across the region.

The initiative forms part of Visa’s broader rollout of the Agentic Ready program across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading hub for fintech innovation and digital transformation.

AI Agents to Transform the Future of Commerce

Visa’s Agentic Ready program is designed to help financial institutions prepare for the next evolution of commerce, where AI agents can:

  • Discover products and services
  • Select purchase options
  • Complete transactions on behalf of users
  • Deliver secure and personalized shopping experiences

The program focuses heavily on:

  • Consumer trust
  • Transaction security
  • Digital identity verification
  • Risk management and payment protection

Visa stated that these safeguards remain essential as AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday financial transactions.

UAE Financial Institutions Join Visa’s AI Commerce Initiative

Several leading UAE financial institutions have already joined the first phase of the program, including:

  • ADCB
  • ADIB
  • Emirates NBD
  • Emirates Islamic
  • Mashreq
  • Al Ansari Exchange
  • Tabby
  • Wio
  • Ziina

The participation of major banks and fintech firms highlights the rapid growth of the UAE’s digital payments ecosystem and its readiness to adopt AI-powered commerce solutions.

Visa Supports Secure AI-Powered Payments

In the initial rollout phase, Visa Agentic Ready allows issuers to:

  • Test AI-initiated transactions
  • Validate payment workflows
  • Simulate real-world commerce scenarios
  • Build secure AI payment environments

The company emphasized that its approach combines:

  • Secure digital credentials
  • Identity solutions
  • Fraud prevention technologies
  • Advanced risk controls

This helps financial institutions safely scale AI-driven payment experiences.

UAE Strengthens Future-Ready Digital Economy

The launch aligns with the UAE’s broader vision of building a future-ready digital economy supported by:

  • Advanced financial infrastructure
  • Innovation-friendly regulations
  • AI adoption strategies
  • Cashless payment initiatives
  • Fintech ecosystem expansion

The UAE continues to position itself as one of the Middle East’s leading markets for AI-powered financial services and digital commerce innovation.

UAE Businesses Show Growing Interest in Agentic Commerce

Research conducted by Fast Company Middle East in partnership with Visa revealed increasing demand for AI-powered commerce among UAE businesses.

Key findings include:

  • Nearly 60% of businesses are actively exploring agentic commerce solutions
  • 33% prioritize customer loyalty and retention through AI commerce
  • 28% see AI commerce as a driver for revenue growth

The study suggests businesses view AI-powered commerce as a long-term growth opportunity rather than simply a cost-saving tool.

Visa Expands AI Commerce Partnerships Across the Region

Visa stated that it is working closely with:

  • Financial institutions
  • Technology providers
  • Fintech companies
  • Digital commerce stakeholders

to build the infrastructure and safeguards needed for the next generation of AI-driven payments.

The UAE is expected to play a leading role in early adoption as momentum for AI commerce accelerates across the wider region.