Emirates NBD joins forces with Dubai International Financial Centre to launch API Sandbox Program

2 Min | 26 March 2019

Bank certifies FinTechs and developers who collaborate and innovate using Sandbox platform

Bank certifies FinTechs and developers who collaborate and innovate using Sandbox platform

Dubai, UAE, 26 March 2019: Emirates NBD, a leading bank in the region, together with FinTech Hive, the first and largest financial technology accelerator in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), announced a new program where they are certifying FinTechs that collaborate, co-create and innovate using Emirates NBD's API (Application Programming Interface) Sandbox.

Launched by Emirates NBD Future Lab™ in 2018, the API Sandbox is a first in the region, marking an important milestone in the bank's AED 1 billion digital transformation programme. The platform, which has been opened up to developers and FinTech firms, consists of over 200 APIs and 500 end points covering retail, corporate and SMEs. Developers also have access to over five million simulated customer transactions based on the BIAN (Banking Industry Architecture Network) model.

"All registered FinTechs in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) that build effective, working prototypes or demos using the APIs will have the opportunity to present to senior leaders from the bank for a chance to collaborate," said Abdulla Qassem, Group Chief Operating Officer, Emirates NBD. Furthermore, registered FinTechs who use the API Sandbox and demo their prototypes working on the Sandbox, will also receive a signed certificate from Emirates NBD and DIFC FinTech Hive acknowledging their participation and certifying their capabilities.

Commenting on the announcement, Evans Munyuki, Chief Digital Officer at Emirates NBD, said, "As a digital pioneer in the region's banking section, Emirates NBD is proud to foster collaboration and innovation in the fast-growing FinTech space.

"The API Sandbox equips FinTechs and developers with the right tools to transform their ideas into working prototypes. Through this initiative, we hope to accelerate the development and market introduction of digital banking products and services, while recognising FinTechs globally" Munyuki added.

"As one of the world's most advanced financial centres, the DIFC ensures FinTech firms based in the Centre are able to continuously innovate and come up with new solutions. The best way for us to do this is to partner with equally forward-thinking financial institutions, like Emirates NBD, to make sure collaboration and creativity are firmly on the agenda. This is a really exciting development for the UAE and for the region, and we're looking forward to seeing how the FinTech firms based in the Centre use the sandbox to evolve their products and platforms to address real problems," said Raja Al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President of DIFC FinTech Hive.

Emirates NBD's API Sandbox follows Open Banking Standards that ensure the utmost security and privacy for its users. The platform makes Emirates NBD more accessible to developers, creating increased for value for its customers and partners, while contributing to the economic growth of the region.

Emirates NBD has long been a digital leader in the region's banking sector, garnering numerous industry accolades affirming its commitment to digitisation. The bank was named 'Best Online Bank globally' by The Asian Banker, as well as 'Best Digital Bank-UAE' by Global Finance World's Best Consumer Digital Banks in the ME Awards 2018. In addition, Emirates NBD won 'The Innovator' in the Middle East by Global Finance 2018 Innovators Awards.

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