Mawarid Finance and Liabify have entered a strategic partnership to introduce LiaPay, a prepaid Platinum Mastercard aimed at middle-income workers in the UAE. The launch brings together Mawarid Finance’s position as a Sharia-compliant financial institution and Liabify’s focus on digital financial services. Announced in Dubai on March 9, 2026, the initiative is positioned as a response to rising demand for accessible and practical money management tools.
Partnership Launch
The companies said the new product will be offered within a regulated and trusted financial framework, reflecting both compliance requirements and consumer protection priorities in the UAE. The partnership was formalized during the Mawarid FinTech and Innovation Summit at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai, where executives from both firms signed the agreement. By combining financial oversight with technology-led service delivery, the companies are seeking to strengthen access to modern financial products for a large segment of the workforce.
How LiaPay Works
At the center of the offering is earned wage access, which allows employees to access part of their accrued salary through the app before payday. This model is designed to give workers more immediate control over their cash flow and reduce dependence on short-term borrowing options. In a market where many employees face timing gaps between income and expenses, the feature could appeal to users seeking more flexibility without turning to conventional credit.
Digital Ecosystem
LiaPay is being presented as more than a payroll-linked card, with the companies describing it as part of a broader digital financial ecosystem. According to the announcement, users will be able to open digital accounts quickly and access services such as remittances, instant payments and other day-to-day financial tools through a single platform. The inclusion of AI-powered capabilities also signals an effort to differentiate the product by offering a more personalized and efficient user experience.
Focus on Inclusion
The launch aligns with broader discussions in the UAE around financial inclusion, responsible money management and the expansion of digital financial services. By targeting middle-income workers, the product addresses a group that often needs practical tools for budgeting, payments and salary timing without necessarily having access to premium banking services. The companies said the platform is intended to support financial stability by making everyday financial tasks simpler, clearer and more secure.
Executive View
Mawarid Finance chief executive Rashid Al Qubaisi described the partnership as part of the institution’s wider commitment to expanding access to innovative and reliable financial services. Liabify chief executive Allan Villegas said the company is focused on building secure and seamless digital experiences that promote financial wellness for users. Together, those positions underline a shared ambition to combine regulated financial infrastructure with customer-centered technology in a way that meets the needs of workers in the local market.
Market Significance
The collaboration also reflects a wider regional trend in which fintech firms and established financial institutions are working together to bring new services to underserved or emerging customer segments. For Mawarid Finance, the partnership expands its reach into digitally enabled everyday finance, while Liabify gains the backing of an established regulated institution with local market credibility. That combination may improve the product’s ability to scale in a competitive payments and financial services market where trust, compliance and usability remain critical factors.
LiaPay enters the UAE market as a product designed to blend wage access, payments functionality and digital financial management into one platform for middle-income workers. Its success will likely depend on how effectively the companies translate the promise of flexibility, simplicity and security into everyday use for customers. Even so, the launch represents a notable development in the UAE fintech landscape, particularly in efforts to expand financial inclusion through regulated digital solutions.