Dubai Cashless Strategy exceeds 2026 targets

Dubai has exceeded the key targets of its Cashless Strategy ahead of the scheduled 2026 deadline. The emirate’s cashless transactions index reached 90.1 percent, surpassing the original 90 percent goal.

According to reports from Dubai Finance, the initiative has contributed more than AED 8 billion ($2.18 billion) to the local economy. The strategy’s success is attributed to high performance across three core pillars: governance (97 percent), society (95 percent), and innovation (93 percent).

In the government sector, the Digital Enablement Index reached 100 percent, indicating full integration of digital payment methods across all government institutions. Additionally, the community happiness index reached 90.1 percent. The strategy, launched in October 2024 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was driven by partnerships between government entities, financial institutions, and technology providers.