Uzbekistan has taken a significant step in modernising its financial services by launching Apple Pay and Google Pay for locally issued cards. The rollout follows a series of regulatory reforms designed to open the country's market to international technology providers, and it marks a shift from reliance on domestic payment systems to global platforms.
The Central Bank of Uzbekistan confirmed in written responses to Euronews that efforts are underway to extend the services to cards issued through the country's domestic payment networks, Uzcard and HUMO, though no timeline has been provided. The announcement of the availability of both services for locally issued cards was made on 27 October by Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration, who had met Google Vice President Karan Bhatia in New York a month earlier to discuss technological cooperation and the conditions for international payment services to operate in Uzbekistan.
From domestic payments to global platforms
Mobile and contactless payments were already available in Uzbekistan through domestic services such as HUMO Pay and UZCARD PAY, alongside QR code payment systems. The introduction of Apple Pay and Google Pay allows customers with eligible locally issued cards to use the international platforms, rather than relying solely on existing domestic payment solutions.
Apple Pay initially supports Visa and Mastercard cards issued by eight local banks and financial institutions: Uzum Bank, Orient Finans Bank, the National Bank of Uzbekistan (NBU), Kapitalbank, Hamkorbank, Ipak Yuli Bank, TBC Bank and Octobank. Uzum Bank and Hamkorbank currently support Visa cards only. Google Pay supports cards from nine banks: AVO Bank, Octobank, Uzum Bank, TBC Bank, Aloqabank, Kapitalbank, Ipak Yuli Bank, NBU and Orient Finans Bank. Customers are advised to check with their bank which cards are eligible for Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The Central Bank told Euronews that both services protect customers' card information during transactions, while cashback and other benefits remain subject to individual banks' conditions.
Regulatory reforms open the market
The rollout follows amendments to Uzbekistan's personal data legislation in March 2026, which eased restrictions on processing and storing certain categories of personal information outside the country. During her September meeting with Google's vice president, Mirziyoyeva explicitly linked the regulatory changes to the introduction of international payment systems.
“As a result, broader opportunities are opening up for the unrestricted use of international payment systems in Uzbekistan,” she said.
The September talks also addressed cooperation with Google, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity training and support for the country's technology sector. These developments coincide with Uzbekistan's National Fintech Strategy for 2026–2030, approved by the Central Bank in September.
Uzbekistan's move to integrate global payment platforms is part of a broader effort to modernise its economy and attract foreign investment. The country has also been betting on a tourism boom with new routes and visa ease, and is rethinking urban design for a hotter, harsher climate, as seen in collaborative projects with Turkey.
While the introduction of Apple Pay and Google Pay is a notable milestone, it also raises questions about data sovereignty and the balance between domestic control and international integration. The Central Bank's assurance that customer data is protected during transactions is likely to be scrutinised as the services expand.
For now, the focus is on ensuring a smooth rollout and expanding coverage to all local cards. The inclusion of Uzcard and HUMO would be a significant step, as these networks are widely used across the country. The lack of a timeline suggests that technical and regulatory hurdles remain, but the direction is clear: Uzbekistan is embracing global fintech standards.
