The digital commerce landscape across the MENA region is undergoing an electrifying transformation, and Checkout.com’s 2025 report shines a spotlight on the UAE as the blazing leader of this revolution. The report reveals an extraordinary 1333% surge in online payment volumes in the UAE, underscoring the country’s unstoppable momentum in embracing digital financial technology and setting the pace for the entire region. This staggering growth is not just a number—it’s a clear signal of how rapidly consumer behavior is shifting towards seamless, secure, and intelligent digital transactions.
At the heart of this boom is the UAE’s dynamic fintech ecosystem, rapidly adopting cutting-edge innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) to elevate the shopping experience. Consumers are increasingly turning to AI-powered tools—such as generative chat assistants and visual search capabilities—that make finding products faster and smarter. This technological leap is complemented by a surge in digital wallet usage and fintech platforms for investment, reflecting a wider trend of financial digitization and sophistication among users.
The report also highlights a massive shift away from traditional payment methods like cash-on-delivery, which has declined by 53% since 2020, signaling consumers’ growing trust in secure digital payment systems. However, with increased digital activity comes heightened security concerns. The percentage of UAE consumers experiencing online fraud jumped sharply, driving businesses to invest heavily in advanced technologies such as machine learning and real-time anomaly detection to protect customers and ensure trust remains intact.
Beyond daily necessities, the report shows diverse sectors thriving in e-commerce. Food delivery dominates online purchases, followed closely by clothing, fashion, and travel—highlighting how confident consumers have become in buying a broad range of products online. Looking ahead, 62% of UAE shoppers say they plan to increase their online spending in 2025, confirming that this digital commerce boom is just getting started.
Checkout.com’s data-packed report paints a vivid picture of a region not catching up but leading the global digital commerce race—with the UAE as its shining superstar, powering the future of secure, innovative, and AI-driven online shopping.
