Abu Dhabi Digital Authority launches Blockchain based Abu Dhabi Pay
The Department of Government Support, as represented by the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA), has launched the digital payment platform, “Abu Dhabi Pay” through the Abu Dhabi Government Services ecosystem, “TAMM”. The launch of “Abu Dhabi Pay” is a new step towards accelerating the pace and impact of digital transformation and innovating more solutions and services aimed at facilitating the lives of Abu Dhabi residents and business communities. According to sources close to ADDA , ” Abu Dhabi Pay is using blockchain technology as its part of TAMM ecosystem and the whole system one huge big blockchain for the government.”
Abu Dhabi Pay provides secure and standardised methods of digital payment for all government services across different channels, representing a further step toward digital sustainability. The launch of “Abu Dhabi Pay” comes under the supervision of The Higher Committee of the Digital Government and is aligned with its efforts in activating a digital transformation governance framework in Abu Dhabi, providing new concepts of government services and moving towards a digital future.
Through “Abu Dhabi Pay”, customers will benefit from multiple safe payment options, one-time payments for multi-party services, and unified customer experiences on all government channels. Similarly, government entities will benefit from a unified platform for all channels and support, reducing errors while boosting career development for employees.
The initiative demonstrates the proactive approach to government services now in place, with “TAMM” providing convenience to customers and government entities alike. The government entities adopting the platform at this stage are the Abu Dhabi Police, Department of Health, Department of Energy, Department of Economic Development, Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, and the General Administration of Customs, all of which have chosen to adopt the new platform for advantages such as ease of transfer, the ability to effectively transition and connect with the platform, and the need to unify the multiplicity of payment channels for the services provided. Additionally, most of the government entities provide services to other parties that require the application of the single discount feature and multiple settlements.
Commenting on the launch of “Abu Dhabi Pay”, H.E. Ali Rashid Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Department of Government Support – Abu Dhabi, said: “The launch of the new platform comes in line with Abu Dhabi government efforts to improve the quality of life for individuals and society in Abu Dhabi, and to facilitate a seamless and hassle-free access to all government services. ‘Abu Dhabi Pay’ is an essential step forward in the efforts made by all parties to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position and leadership regionally and globally in the field of digital government.”
H.E. Al Ketbi added that he is delighted with the collective effort and cooperation shown by all government entities to launch this platform, which will unify digital payments for government services and ensure smooth and safe delivery. Al Ketbi noted that the launch of “Abu Dhabi Pay” is the next stage of the emirate’s vision to achieve digital sustainability by streamlining data-driven systems and processes throughout government and that undoubtedly, the platform will ensure seamless service delivery for all users in Abu Dhabi, which in turn will contribute to promoting economic and social development in the emirate.
Engineer Mohamed Abdel Hameed Al Askar, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, said: “Looking ahead, we will integrate ‘Abu Dhabi Pay’ with all of the digital channels of the remaining entities. This will include establishing the priorities and foundations required to complete the inclusion of digital channels for government agencies and communicating with them to study, prepare, and build the allocations required to complete the linking operations with their respective channels if necessary. Following this process, we will distribute and connect point of sale (POS) devices to complete preparations and meet the required allocations with the government entity’s systems.
H.E. Hisham Khalid Malak, Acting Undersecretary of the Department of Finance, said: “The ‘Abu Dhabi Pay’ platform is the result of cooperation between the financial and banking sector and government entities in Abu Dhabi, and it reflects the ability of all parties to harness technology with the power of innovation in providing smooth and easy government services, which contributes to meeting the expectations of customers and enhancing the emirate’s position and its impact on the global economy.”
Commenting on the launch, Andre Sayegh, Chief Executive Officer of the First Abu Dhabi Bank Group, said: “We are proud of our partnership with the Abu Dhabi government and of being part of the promising digital payment platform, ‘Abu Dhabi Pay’, bringing the bank’s vast experience in all areas of payment platforms. The launch of ‘Abu Dhabi Pay’ reflects our cooperation in efforts to unify all digital payments for government services. It is a new step towards accelerating the pace of digital transformation in all government entities in the emirate, achieving customer satisfaction and facilitating payment procedures for all residents.” Al Sayegh reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to working in support of the emirate’s government accelerators and the Abu Dhabi Economic vision 2030.”
The launch of the “Abu Dhabi Pay” platform is fully aligned with the recent efforts and initiatives announced by the Abu Dhabi government that come within the framework of the Digital Month initiative, which aims to enhance customer benefits through innovative digital services and solutions, and shed light on the benefits that both citizens and residents, who rely more on digital services instead of physical visits to service centres, can avail to complete the services and transactions that they need. Additionally, the initiative stresses the role that digital solutions and services play in saving time for individuals and allowing them to focus more on other activities and positive aspects in their daily lives.
The “Abu Dhabi Pay” platform offers many other features, such as payment processing, reconciliation and settlement, reports and audit, and one payment for several settlements. Payment channels include portals, mobile apps, POS, and cash deposit machines where payment methods include e-debit, e-wallet, credit cards, and cash. Currently, digital wallet and credit card payments are available while direct bank debit and other solutions for cash management will be added to the platform.
