Over the past decade, Dubai has revolutionized its payment systems, transitioning from bartering and coins to advanced cards and e-wallets.
Government initiatives like the Economic Agenda 2033, the Cashless Dubai Working Group, and the UAE’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) are driving Dubai and the UAE toward going cashless by 2030 and creating a hotbed for payment innovation.
However, encouraging Emiratis to embrace these alternatives comes with challenges. The Middle East has a deeply rooted cash culture, requiring compelling reasons for people to switch. Additionally, around 1.7 million residents in the UAE remain unbanked, limiting their access to traditional card payments.
How can Dubai accelerate digital payments?
Accelerating digital payments in a city like Dubai is simpler than it might seem. First, you create an alternative that’s smarter, faster, safer, and as convenient as cash but more inclusive than cards. Then, you find a great use case—like transport—that makes digital payment essential for everyone who lives in or visits the city.
This is where nol comes into play. nol is a prepaid, contactless smart card (or virtual card) and the sole payment method accepted across all Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Metro, buses, taxis, ferries, and trams.
For anyone navigating Dubai’s vibrant streets, a nol card ensures seamless access to rides without the hassle of payment compatibility. It’s incredibly convenient and offers exclusive discounts and concessions, enhancing the overall travel experience.
nol can be purchased online or at any RTA ticket office, vending machines, or authorized sales agents. Using the app is the easiest way to add cash to nol cards and view card information, such as transaction history, credit, and expiry date.
nol cards are helping to make Dubai cashless
Hundreds of thousands of commuters rely on the Dubai Metro every day. By making nol compulsory, the RTA has successfully shifted public perception towards contactless payments, encouraging more people to adopt click-and-pay for their daily travels.
nol cards simplify the travel experience for visitors by eliminating ticketing hassles and making it easier to navigate the city. This ease of use supports Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s top three leisure and business destinations.
Despite its name—“nol” means “fare” in Arabic—the card’s functionality extends beyond transport. nol is rapidly evolving into a versatile, multi-purpose payment solution. It is now accepted for purchases up to AED 200 at approximately 5,000 retail locations, including major retailers like Carrefour, ENOC petrol stations, Lulu, Pronto, and Zoom.
Primer delivers nol for micro-mobility leader Lime
When the RTA mandated nol integration for all mobility providers, Lime—a key part of Dubai’s transportation infrastructure, powering first- and last-mile journeys across the city— faced a complex challenge.
While nol's seamless payment experience aligns perfectly with Dubai’s vision for connected transportation, integrating the platform posed significant technical hurdles for Lime’s operations.
Lime turned to Primer to make it happen.
Primer’s expertise and flexible platform proved essential. Acting as the middle layer between Lime and the RTA, Primer simplified the technical requirements, resolved roadblocks, and enabled a seamless deployment. This allowed Lime to meet the RTA’s expectations while enhancing the user experience for its riders, who can now easily transition from public transport to Lime scooters using nol.
“Primer proved they could handle technical complexity and deliver real value, ensuring we met regulatory requirements while focusing on what we do best—providing sustainable micro-mobility solutions,” says Jad Antoun, Middle East GM at Lime.
Should I be adding nol to my payments stack?
The Dubai government is expanding nol’s functionality beyond transportation to become an all-encompassing, everyday payment solution. The goal is to position nol as the primary method for micropayments, mirroring the successful evolution of Grab Pay in Singapore.
As nol gains traction, more local merchants are evaluating the benefits of accepting nol at their checkouts. This shift caters to the increasing number of nol users and aligns the business with Dubai’s move towards a cashless society.
So, should you accept nol? If you’re involved in mobility in Dubai—like our customer Lime—it’s a must. But if you’re any other type of retailer/commerce business selling in Dubai, it should be on your radar, especially if you’re in a high-volume sales business with lots of micropayments.
Unlock nol with Primer
Ready to offer nol as a payment option? With Primer’s intuitive one-click apps and integrations, you can easily incorporate nol into your native mobile app.
If you’re a merchant on our platform, localizing your checkout is a breeze. Customize your checkout experience in seconds—no coding required—directly from our user-friendly dashboard.
As more people in Dubai choose nol, merchants must meet this rising demand. At Primer, we’ve seen conversion rates increase when customers can use their preferred payment methods. By embracing nol now, you gain a competitive advantage over businesses that haven’t adopted it.
By accepting nol cards, you can support Dubai’s mobility and cashless goals while giving cardholders a great reason to spend with you.
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