Al-Qutaibi Islamic Bank launches palm-vein payment service in Yemen

Al-Qutaibi Islamic Bank has launched ‘Kaffak Yakfik’, a palm-vein biometric payment service in Aden, marking a significant technological shift in Yemen’s banking sector. The service allows customers to complete financial transactions and purchases by simply scanning their palms over specialized sensors.

Once a user’s palm is registered and linked to their bank account or the ‘Shilling’ digital wallet, they can make payments without the need for physical cash, plastic cards, smartphones, or even an active internet connection at the point of sale.

During the launch ceremony, attended by officials from the Central Bank of Yemen, CEO Abdulsalam Al-Wardi stated that the initiative aims to make payments faster and easier while promoting financial inclusion. The bank has expressed its readiness to collaborate with other financial institutions to integrate this technology into their systems. Dr. Kamal Al-Subaihi of the Central Bank of Yemen praised the move, noting that such digital solutions help reduce reliance on physical paper currency.