Visa launched its global Agentic Ready program in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, expanding efforts to support artificial intelligence-driven commerce across the region.
The launch forms part of a broader rollout across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Visa said.
The company said the Agentic Ready program is designed to help financial institutions prepare for AI agents capable of discovering, selecting, and completing purchases on behalf of consumers while maintaining security, trust, and network protections.
UAE Banks Join Initial Program Phase
Visa said the first phase of the program allows issuers to test and validate agent-initiated transactions in a controlled production-grade environment before broader adoption.
Participating UAE institutions include Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Al Ansari Exchange, Emirates Islamic, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Tabby, Wio Bank, and Ziina.
Fadi Moukkadem, Visa’s senior vice president and group country manager for UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, said the UAE market is showing strong interest in AI-enhanced commerce alongside a focus on security and practical applications.
He said issuers would play a central role in building consumer trust as AI becomes more integrated into daily transactions.
UAE Pushes Toward AI-Driven Digital Economy
Visa said the rollout aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to build a future-ready digital economy supported by advanced infrastructure, innovation-focused regulation, and cashless payment adoption.
Research conducted by Fast Company Middle East in partnership with Visa found nearly 60% of UAE businesses expressed strong interest in or were actively exploring agentic commerce use cases.
The survey also found businesses increasingly view agentic commerce as a growth driver rather than solely a cost-reduction tool, with 33% prioritizing customer loyalty and retention and 28% focusing on revenue growth.
