Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri

H.E. Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri serves as Chairman of the Board of Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. In this capacity, he oversees strategic initiatives for digitizing the economy and advancing the financial sector. Al Dhaheri is also Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), a position he has held while leading major payment infrastructure projects including the launch of Aani, an instant payments platform that transforms digital payments in the UAE.

Al Dhaheri brings extensive experience across banking and corporate governance. He joined the CBUAE from Mubadala Investment Company where he acted as Senior Advisor to the Deputy CEO of Chief Human & Corporate Services. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Al Hilal Bank, overseeing Information Technology, Project Management Office, Business Continuity, Operations, Internal Control, Facility Management, Real Estate and Procurement. Prior to Al Hilal Bank, he held various positions at Takreer (Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company).

Educational Background

Al Dhaheri holds an Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration from Zayed University and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from California State University, Fresno.

Current Roles & Responsibilities

Beyond his Chairman role at Al Etihad Payments, Al Dhaheri holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Oumolat Security Printing LLC and O & S Security Solutions LLC, and serves as Vice Chairman of the Emirates Institute of Finance. He is also a member of the M2 Committee (UAE Capital of the Global Financial System), the Digital Economy Council and Chair of the Fintech Committee, the Cashless Society Committee, the Central Bank Digital Currency Working Group by the World Economic Forum (WEF), and serves as Board member at Gulf Payments Company.

Career History

• Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services, Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE)
• Senior Advisor to Deputy CEO of Chief Human & Corporate Services, Mubadala Investment Company
• Chief Operating Officer, Al Hilal Bank
• Various positions at Takreer (Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company)

What Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri could bring to Al Etihad Payments: With a career spanning operations leadership at major financial and industrial institutions, Al Dhaheri brings deep expertise in digital transformation, operational excellence, and strategic infrastructure development. His experience directing IT modernization, business continuity, and organizational systems at Al Hilal Bank, combined with his central banking perspective and direct involvement in UAE fintech initiatives, positions him to drive Al Etihad Payments' mission to modernize the UAE payment ecosystem through innovation and secure digital infrastructure.