Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Google Pay officially launched in Uzbekistan on 19 October 2026. Marcin Krasuski, Google Cloud’s director of government affairs, announced the service’s entry into the market during C5+1 events involving Central Asian countries and the United States. Uzbekistan has also been added to the official list of countries where the service is available.
However, the launch does not mean that users can already link cards issued by every Uzbek bank. Each financial institution must independently enable Google Pay support for its cards. As a result, initial availability will depend on the issuing bank, while other banks may join later.
The launch of Google Wallet and Google Pay was announced during the C5+1 foreign ministers’ summit in Samarkand, led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. A delegation representing more than 100 American companies also took part in the events.
Google Wallet and Google Pay are designed to simplify digital payments. Users of Android and Wear OS devices will be able to add supported cards from participating banks and payment systems to pay for purchases in stores, apps and websites.
To make contactless payments, users need to add a bank card to Google Wallet. If a smartphone supports near-field communication (NFC), purchases can be paid for by holding the device near a contactless payment terminal. The service also allows users to pay for goods and services on websites and in apps without repeatedly entering their card details.
In addition to payment tools, Google Wallet allows users to store digital documents and other everyday items, including loyalty cards, tickets and boarding passes. Google says the service uses multiple layers of protection and industry-standard encryption technologies to safeguard users’ financial data.
The launch of digital payment services is seen as one step in the development of Uzbekistan’s financial technology sector. It also aligns with the country’s stated goal of increasing the share of cashless payments to 75% by 2030. The launch announcement said the rollout had been made possible by reforms to personal data legislation aimed at bringing the regulatory framework into line with international standards.
“The launch of Google Wallet and Google Pay helps accelerate Uzbekistan’s digital transformation by providing seamless and secure digital payments on the path to a cashless future,” said Dmitry Styran, Google Pay and Wallet’s partnerships lead for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
US Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick also welcomed the services’ arrival in the Uzbek market. He said the launch reflects the strengthening economic partnership between the two countries and creates new opportunities for American and Uzbek businesses.
According to the company, the Google Wallet app is expected to become available for download on Google Play in the coming weeks. Actual access to payment functions will depend on whether a particular bank supports the service and whether the user’s card is compatible.
