The United Arab Emirates is experiencing a transformative wave in consumer behavior, with digital transactions surpassing $60 billion in 2025, reflecting a nationwide embrace of e-commerce. Data from the UAE Central Bank reveals that retail transactions under the UAE Funds Transfer System (UAEFTS) surged by 22.57% in 2024, totaling 109.7 million transactions worth Dh7.4 trillion (approximately $2 trillion). This represents a 20.63% increase in transaction value compared to the previous year, highlighting the country’s accelerating digital transformation. Projections indicate that digital payment transaction values will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4%, reaching nearly $118 billion by 2030. By then, the number of e-commerce users in the UAE is expected to hit 10.63 million, according to Statista. This digital boom is not only reshaping consumer habits but also compelling businesses to adapt. Blue Ocean Global Group, a Dubai-based distribution leader representing over 25 regional and international brands, has significantly reduced its offline retail operations to focus on becoming a fully technology-driven e-commerce distribution platform. Shahzad Ahmed, Chairman of Blue Ocean Global Group, noted that the company’s e-commerce distribution business has grown by 40% year-on-year, managing inventories for over 550 SKUs to meet rising demand for consumer and electronic goods online. Ahmed attributed this shift to the preferences of millennials and Gen Z consumers, who are driving the digital revolution. The company has also invested heavily in enhancing its supply chain, leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Machine Learning to streamline B2B operations. Rohit Savara, CEO of Blue Ocean Global Group, emphasized that embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution is essential for staying competitive in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
UAE’s e-commerce boom spurs business transformation amid soaring digital transactions
