First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)-owned digital wallet Payit has announced a partnership with digital support services provider PLATX Omni Channel Conversational Commerce to provide a first-of-its-kind solution for UAE-based merchants.

The two companies will enable merchants to collect customer payments via social messaging app WhatsApp. The service would only require merchants to share their WhatsApp-enabled mobile number with customers.

A chatbot would then take customers through the payments process, and merchants will receive payment confirmation in real time.

This would be the first WhatsApp-based B2C retail payment solution to be launched in the Middle East region. The only other WhatsApp-based payment solution in the region is PayBot. The chatbot application enables mobile bill payments and recharges.

 

“The solution was designed in line with our robust multi-level encryption to ensure all transactions are secure.

 

At Payit, we continue to introduce such innovative solutions to support our merchant partners especially in the SME segment with robust, cost effective seamless digital checkout experience as well as expand upon payit’s many services to provide a comprehensive digital wallet that serves our customers’ evolving needs,”

Ramana Kumar, CEO of FAB subsidiary Magnati, noted about the new payments solution.

The digital wallet was launched in 2018, and is available to any UAE local or resident with a valid Emirates ID.

Digital wallets in the UAE

In the UAE,  a number of cross-industry incumbents have placed their bets on digital wallets. This includes payment apps based on NFC technology, such as Apple Pay or Samsung Pay.

Companies such as telecom operator Etisalat, or ecommerce marketplace noon, have launched their own e-wallets for customers. Fintech players include third-party digital wallet providers, such as Payit, or klip.

Ultimately, digital wallets are pivotal to the increasing focus on a cashless economy not only in the UAE, but across the Middle East. For banks such as FAB, they can become a means for legacy financial service providers to dip their toes into the fintech trend.

Featured image credit: Payit