e& money, the fintech arm of e&, has announced a strategic partnership with PayPal to enable account linking and instant AED withdrawals — making it the first digital wallet in the UAE to offer direct PayPal integration.
Once the service launches, users will be able to link their PayPal accounts with the e& money app, allowing them to move funds instantly from PayPal to their e& money wallets. The integration will convert U.S. dollar balances to UAE dirhams (AED) at a fixed exchange rate, with transparent, upfront fees and no hidden charges.
A second phase will expand the service into a two-way bridge, enabling users to transfer funds back from e& money to PayPal. As part of its broader roadmap, e& also plans to join PayPal World, a global network connecting major payment systems and digital wallets.
Otto Williams, SVP, Regional Head and General Manager at PayPal Middle East and Africa, said:
“The UAE continues to stand out as one of the world’s most dynamic markets for digital innovation. Partnering with e& demonstrates PayPal’s commitment to fuelling growth and opportunity for the future. By combining our global network and trusted capabilities with e&’s regional leadership, we’re empowering people and businesses to shop, send money, and transact across borders with greater ease than ever before.”
Melike Kara, CEO of e& money, added:
“Cross-border commerce depends on fast, reliable payment rails. By joining forces with PayPal, we’ll be eliminating the friction freelancers, creators, and everyday consumers face when bringing their earnings into the local economy. This is what financial inclusion looks like in action: Instant, transparent, and secure.”
Through this partnership, PayPal users in the UAE will be able to access their balances within seconds, 24/7, and use the funds for bill payments, peer-to-peer transfers, in-store or online purchases, or to cash out to bank accounts via the e& money card.
The collaboration is particularly significant for the UAE’s growing community of freelancers and digital creators, who often rely on PayPal for international payments. Instant withdrawals will remove cash-flow bottlenecks and eliminate the need for third-party intermediaries.
At a broader level, the initiative supports the UAE’s financial inclusion and digital economy strategies, helping accelerate the transition toward a cashless society. The UAE aims for the digital economy to contribute nearly 20% of national GDP by 2031.
Today’s announcement marks the first milestone in a multi-phase roadmap. e& money and PayPal plan to co-invest in marketing and future product innovations that bring global payment platforms even closer to everyday life in the UAE.
