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Mobile Payments

Google Pay Uzbekistan Launch Enabled by Data Reforms, Executive Says

Google Pay’s launch in Uzbekistan follows changes to the country’s personal data protection rules, which have made it easier for international technology companies to enter the market, according to a senior Google executive. Doron Avni, Google’s vice president for government affairs and public policy for emerging markets, said in a LinkedIn post that replacing strict rules on storing data locally with a more flexible approach had enabled the launch. Under legislation signed on March 26, most categories of personal data can now be stored and processed abroad under certain conditions. However, biometric and genetic data, as well as data belonging to customers of telecommunications operators in Uzbekistan, must still be stored in the country. “Modern policy isn't just written on paper – it's felt directly in people's pockets,” Avni wrote. Google Pay was announced in Uzbekistan on October 19, with support for cards issued by participating Uzbek banks becoming available on October 27, alongside Apple Pay. The introduction of both platforms allows users to make contactless payments through compatible smartphones and other devices. Initially, both services support eligible Visa and Mastercard cards, while integration with Uzbekistan’s domestic UZCARD and HUMO payment systems remains under development. Avni linked the launch to technology cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United States. It was announced during U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to Samarkand for the C5+1 ministerial meeting with his counterparts from the five Central Asian countries. He said the visit reflected a shared interest in advancing digital modernization in Central Asia, including cybersecurity, cloud technology, and digital education. “My sincere gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan and the U.S. Ambassador Jonathan Henick for their exceptional vision and partnership,” Avni wrote.

Payments

Apple Pay and Google Pay Begin Rollout in Uzbekistan

Apple Pay and Google Pay began rolling out in Uzbekistan on October 27, allowing customers of local banks to add eligible Visa and Mastercard cards to their digital wallets to make contactless payments. The launch marks another step in Uzbekistan's efforts to integrate its banking system with international payment services, following changes to the country's data protection laws and months of negotiations with Apple and Google. Which Banks and Cards Are Supported? Apple Wallet initially supports cards from eight banks and financial institutions: Uzum Bank, Orient Finans Bank, the National Bank of Uzbekistan, Kapitalbank, Hamkorbank, Ipak Yuli Bank, TBC Bank, and Octobank. Uzum Bank and Hamkorbank currently support Visa cards only, while the other six institutions are listed as supporting both Visa and Mastercard. Google Wallet, meanwhile, lists nine participating banks, including seven of those supporting Apple Pay, alongside AVO Bank and Aloqabank. Customers can add eligible cards through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, with payments authorized using their phone's security features. Once activated, the services allow customers to pay at compatible contactless terminals without using a physical bank card. However, the rollout is still in its early stages. Some banks are continuing to test Apple Pay, and not all eligible cards can yet be added successfully. As of October 27, Uzbekistan was also absent from Apple's published list of countries where Apple Pay is supported. Google Pay's launch was announced on October 19 by Marcin Krasuski, Google Cloud's director of government affairs and public policy for Central and Eastern Europe, during an event in Samarkand. Support for locally issued bank cards became available on October 27. Changes to Data Protection Laws The rollout follows changes to Uzbekistan's personal data legislation in March 2026, which relaxed restrictions on storing certain types of personal data outside the country. The previous rules had been an obstacle to the introduction of international digital payment services. As The Times of Central Asia reported in July, the Central Bank subsequently began negotiations with Apple and Google, while commercial banks and the national payment systems Humo and Uzcard worked on the technical requirements. For now, support is limited to eligible Visa and Mastercard cards. The Central Bank is also working to make cards issued through Humo and Uzcard compatible with the international digital wallets. Click Adds Apple Pay to Online Payments Local payment companies are also adapting to the new services. On October 27, Uzbek payment provider Click announced that it had added Apple Pay to its online payment processing system, allowing retailers using Click's payment page to accept Apple Pay without a separate technical integration. "We wanted to make enabling Apple Pay as simple as possible for both users and businesses. Our partners don't need to turn the launch of a new payment method into a separate technical project – Click takes care of that part," said Ulugbek Rustamov, CEO and co-founder of Click. Merchants can request activation of the service from Click, which will handle payment processing, settlements, reporting, and refunds. Click describes itself...

Digital Payments

Apple Pay and Google Pay Mobile Wallets Could Launch in Uzbekistan Within Months

Apple Pay and Google Pay could become available in Uzbekistan within the next few months, Jamshid Usmanov, head of the Central Bank’s Payment Systems Development Department, told Spot. Usmanov said the Central Bank began negotiations with Apple and Google after amendments to Uzbekistan’s personal data legislation came into force. The regulator has since been working with commercial banks and the national payment systems Humo and Uzcard to complete the technical integration required to launch the services. “Commercial banks are actively carrying out integration work. There are also issues related to card tokenization that are being addressed,” Usmanov said. The project extends beyond support for international payment cards such as Visa and Mastercard. The Central Bank is also working to make Humo and Uzcard cards compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay, enabling customers to use Uzbekistan’s domestic payment systems through the digital wallets. Usmanov said one or more commercial banks could be the first to introduce the services. He confirmed that Central Bank representatives met with Apple and Google in April and May and added that positive news could be expected in the coming months. Alongside the mobile payments initiative, Uzbekistan is continuing work on a National Payment Switch, which is scheduled to be launched in 2027 under a presidential decree. The new platform would provide unified infrastructure for processing domestic payment transactions. At present, some transactions made with international bank cards are processed through centers outside Uzbekistan. The National Payment Switch will allow those transactions to be processed domestically. Usmanov added that many countries are gradually adopting national payment switches because they reduce dependence on foreign payment infrastructure providers and allow payment data to remain within national jurisdictions. The Central Bank expects the new system to improve the resilience of Uzbekistan’s payment infrastructure and provide better data protection. Regulatory documents are currently being prepared, while technical implementation will proceed during the next phase of the project. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Uzbekistan was also moving toward integrating PayPal, with negotiations between the Central Bank and the company underway following changes to the country’s personal data legislation.