Apple Pay and Google Pay are being prepared for launch in Uzbekistan.

Preparations have begun in Uzbekistan for the launch of international payment services Apple Pay and Google Pay. The Central Bank of the Republic of Uzbekistan reported that technical work necessary for the implementation of these services is currently underway.

Negotiations involving the parties are scheduled for September; however, the discussion currently focuses not on the actual launch but on the terms of integration.

A key step toward the introduction of Apple Pay and Google Pay was the amendment of legislation. In March 2026, Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed amendments to the Law "On Personal Data," which permitted the storage of most personal data outside the country. Exceptions remain only for biometric and genetic data, as well as information regarding subscribers of telecom operators.

Previously, requirements for local data storage were cited as one of the main obstacles to the entry of international payment services into the Uzbek market. Following the legislative changes, authorities stated that this would create conditions for the launch of Apple Pay and Google Pay, although the final decision rests with the companies themselves.

Source: spot.uz