First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest bank, and Mastercard, the global payments technology company, have launched a mobile-first virtual card number (VCN) solution for businesses in a first for the EEMEA region.
The partnership aims to modernise corporate payments by responding to rising demand for digital, secure and contactless payment solutions among enterprises and government entities, according to FF News.
By introducing Mastercard’s proprietary mobile VCN platform, the two organisations are seeking to improve efficiency across corporate payment workflows, from expense management to accounts payable, while supporting better cash flow optimisation.
FAB is positioning the launch as part of its wider digital transformation strategy in the UAE. As a major driver of innovation in the country’s financial ecosystem, the bank is enabling organisations to issue and manage mobile-first virtual corporate cards that can be seamlessly integrated into digital wallets.
This approach is designed to strengthen transparency and control over corporate spending, while aligning with national ambitions to build secure, sustainable and technology-enabled financial systems.
Mastercard, meanwhile, is extending its B2B payments capabilities by making virtual commercial cards more flexible and accessible through mobile technology.
Its mobile VCN solution allows organisations to generate virtual cards in real time and use them for both online and in-store transactions via mobile wallets. Centralised controls provide enhanced oversight of spending, giving finance teams a consolidated view of expenses and enabling more data-driven decision-making.
Beyond the core functionality, the partnership reflects broader market trends in the UAE, where digital payment adoption continues to accelerate. Research cited in the announcement indicates that 45% of companies in the country are investing in mobile technology for B2B payments. By enabling virtual commercial cards to be added directly to digital wallets, FAB and Mastercard are seeking to set a new benchmark for how businesses and government entities manage payments in an increasingly mobile environment.
The launch also highlights a shared commitment from both organisations to innovation and operational excellence. By combining FAB’s regional reach and corporate banking expertise with Mastercard’s global payments infrastructure and technology, the initiative is intended to support growth across multiple industries in the UAE and, over time, beyond the country’s borders.
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