Talking about the partnership, Mr. Richard Wason, CEO, LuLu Financial Group, said, “The payments ecosystem in the UAE is advancing rapidly, and in this context, creating easier touchpoints for users to conduct their transactions online will go a long way in building trust. As an active participant of the UAE’s payments ecosystem, we see our partnership with Visa and Network International as a meaningful collaboration that can drive greater financial inclusion.”

Shahebaz Khan, Visa’s General Manager for UAE, Bahrain, and Oman, said: “We are delighted to partner with Lulu International Exchange to help meet UAE consumers’ increasing expectations for a more seamless and secure way to move funds. With Visa’s Account Funding Transaction service, Lulu Exchange customers holding a Visa debit card can use their debit cards to fund their remittance transactions from their phone in near real time and with the peace of mind of knowing that it’s also secure.”

Andrew Key, Group Managing Director – Acquiring, Network International, added, “As consumers increasingly turn to contactless channels for their payment needs, we are pleased to collaborate with Lulu International Exchange, as its exclusive partner, and Visa to bring digital innovation in the remittances space. LuLu Exchange’s customers who are Visa debit cardholders can now transfer funds quickly and securely via their mobile apps. We look forward to supporting regional exchange houses looking to digitalize their remittances offering while keeping costs low.”

The new service is presently limited to Visa debit cards issued by select UAE banks, with wider coverage expected to be rolled out by the first half of the year.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating more than 215 billion payments transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories each year. Learn more at About Visa, Visa MENA Blog and @VisaMiddleEast.

About LuLu International Exchange

LuLu International Exchange is part of the LuLu Financial Group, a global financial services provider headquartered in Abu Dhabi and operating 241 branches in 11 countries across markets in the GCC, APAC and Indian sub-continent. The company has investments in varied digital and non-digital financial services & products in the markets it operates. www.luluexchange.com

About Network International

Network International comprises a group of companies and is the leading enabler of digital commerce across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, providing a full suite of technology-enabled payments solutions to merchants and financial institutions of all types and sizes, including acquiring and processing services and a comprehensive ever-evolving range of value-added services.

Network International Holdings Plc (LSE: NETW) is the holding company for Network International and the group companies, including the DPO Group.