Lean Technologies and Ziina launch UAE’s first live Open Finance payments

Lean Technologies and Ziina have executed the UAE's first live customer-initiated Open Finance payment. The launch marks a major milestone for the Central Bank's fintech framework.

Faisal Toukan, Co-founder and CEO of Ziina

Users can now make instant bank payments directly within the Ziina app without switching to their banking application. This launch represents the first practical application of the Central Bank of the UAE’s (CBUAE) Open Finance framework, moving the technology from theoretical policy to a live consumer product.

The development aligns with the broader surge in local innovation we are seeing across sectors, mirroring the ambitious scope of events like the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. While other sectors focus on energy, the fintech ecosystem is finally solving the fragmentation of digital payments.

Here is what this means for the market and why it matters for UAE businesses.

Key takeaways

First of its kind: This is the UAE’s first live customer-initiated Open Finance payment.
The partnership: Powered by Lean Technologies’ infrastructure and executed via Ziina’s app.
Regulatory milestone: Operates under the CBUAE’s Nebras and Al Tareq frameworks.
User benefit: Enables instant account-to-account transfers without manual entry.
Scale: Lean has processed over $4 billion (Dhs 14.7 billion) in transaction volume to date.

The days of copying and pasting IBANs might finally be numbered. Lean Technologies and Ziina have launched the UAE’s first live customer-initiated Open Finance payment.

Ziina users in the UAE can now initiate payments directly from their bank accounts within the app. Previously, topping up a digital wallet or paying a merchant often required leaving the app to perform a bank transfer or manually entering card details. The new system uses regulated APIs provided by Lean Technologies to connect securely to the user's bank.

This integration removes the friction of switching between apps or copying account numbers. Because the payment is account-to-account, it settles instantly and offers greater transparency than traditional methods. Ziina, which is a licensed financial institution (LFI), becomes the first entity in the country to execute these payments live.

While global tech giants are currently focused on managing infrastructure costs for AI, local fintechs are leveraging infrastructure to solve immediate consumer pain points. Lean Technologies provides the underlying rails—secure connectivity and enterprise-grade resilience—while Ziina handles the customer-facing experience.

Why it matters

This isn't just a feature update; it is a regulatory milestone. For years, Open Finance in the UAE has been a topic of discussion about frameworks and potential. With this launch, it becomes a working product.

The system operates under the CBUAE’s Open Finance Regulation, utilising the national Open Finance platform (Nebras) and the Central Bank’s API framework (Al Tareq). By successfully executing live payments, Lean and Ziina have proven that the regulatory and technical foundations are ready for mass adoption.

For the wider ecosystem, this signals that the CBUAE's vision for a modern financial infrastructure is operational. It opens the door for other licensed API providers to build secure, consent-based services that could eventually replace traditional card rails for many transactions.

The players

Lean Technologies is the infrastructure heavyweight here. Founded in 2019, the company acts as the plumbing for fintech in the region. They have processed over $4 billion (Dhs 14.7 billion) in transaction volume and connected more than 2 million accounts across the MENA region. Their role is to ensure the connection between the app and the bank is secure and compliant.

Ziina is the consumer face of the partnership. Founded in 2020 by Faisal, Sarah, and Talal Toukan, it has grown into a major payment platform for over 260,000 users and businesses in the UAE. As a licensed financial institution, Ziina is positioning itself not just as a peer-to-peer payment app, but as a comprehensive financial platform for consumers and SMEs.

What’s next

With the first live use case now active, we expect other fintechs and banks to rush to integrate similar Open Finance capabilities. The success of this launch will likely pressure traditional banks to accelerate their own API integrations to avoid losing transaction volume to agile fintech competitors.

"Seeing Open Finance payments live in the UAE is a meaningful moment for the market," said Hisham Al-Falih, CEO of Lean Technologies. "This milestone reflects the Central Bank’s vision for modern, secure financial infrastructure."

For now, Ziina users get first access to a payment method that could soon become the standard across the Emirates.

FAQs

What is Open Finance in the UAE?

Open Finance is a regulatory framework that allows third-party financial service providers to access consumer banking data and initiate payments with your consent. It enables new services, like seeing all your bank accounts in one app or making direct bank payments without using a card.

How does the new payment work in the Ziina app?

Users can start an instant, account-to-account bank payment directly inside the Ziina app. You don't need to switch to your bank's app or copy an IBAN. The system uses regulated APIs from Lean Technologies to move the money securely.

Is Ziina safe to use?

Yes, Ziina is a licensed financial institution (LFI) regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE. The new Open Finance payments are also regulated under the CBUAE's framework, ensuring they meet strict security and compliance standards.

Who is involved in this launch?

Three main parties are involved: Lean Technologies provides the technical infrastructure, Ziina provides the app and customer experience, and the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) provides the regulatory framework (Nebras and Al Tareq) that makes it legal and secure.