Paying suppliers in the UAE from Central and West Africa: a checklist

The United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, are a major trading hub for businesses in Central and West Africa: electronics, vehicles, spare parts, building materials and re-exported goods from Asia. Here is what to check before you pay.

The invoice

• The supplier’s legal name exactly as it appears on its bank account.
• The currency: many UAE suppliers invoice in US dollars, some in dirhams.
• The invoice number, the amount and a clear description of the goods.

The bank details

Check the account number or IBAN, the bank name and the SWIFT code. If the supplier announces a new account, confirm it by phone with a contact you already know before you pay.

The goods and the destination

Be clear about what you are buying and where it goes. Some goods and destinations are subject to sanctions or restrictions; payments linked to the industries and countries on our prohibited list are not accepted.

The timing

Confirm your quote when you are ready to transfer: your rate is held for 24 hours. Once your funds are received, payments are usually sent within 48 hours and, as a rule, within 72 business hours. Remember that the UAE working week and public holidays may differ from yours.

The proof

Download the SWIFT proof as soon as the payment is sent and share it with your supplier together with the invoice number.