PhonePe expands operations in rural India and the UAE

Indian fintech platform PhonePe is pursuing significant domestic and international expansion. In India, the company plans to create over 20,000 field sales jobs to drive digital payment adoption in rural areas and Tier-6 cities. This initiative includes the rollout of 5 million payment devices, with approximately 2.5 million targeted specifically for villages and rural settings to assist small retailers and street vendors with digital integration.

Internationally, PhonePe has received In-Principle Approval from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) for two payment licences: Retail Payment Services and Card Schemes (RPSCS) and Stored Value Facilities (SVF). While final regulatory approval is required before commercial operations begin, the company intends to collaborate with local banks and technology providers to support the UAE’s digital payments ecosystem, including domestic systems like Aani and Jaywan.