Apple Pay and Google Pay launch in Uzbekistan amid wider fintech reforms

Uzbekistan has introduced Apple Pay and Google Pay following regulatory reforms aimed at opening its financial services market to international technology providers. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In written responses to Euronews, the Central Bank of Uzbekistan confirmed that work is underway to extend the services to cards issued through the country's domestic payment networks, Uzcard and HUMO, although no timetable has been provided. The availability of both services for locally issued cards was announced 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. The developments coincide with Uzbekistan's National Fintech Strategy for 2026–2030, approved by the Central Bank in September. The strategy includes plans to attract investment, develop cross-border payments, introduce Open Banking and improve connectivity between financial systems.