Global law firm Freshfields advises RAKBANK on the strategic sale of its merchant acquiring business to Network International, the UAE’s leading merchant acquirer.

The transaction will transition a portfolio of 5,000 merchants from RAKBANK into Network International’s acquiring ecosystem. As part of the transaction, Network International will partner with RAKBANK to serve the Bank’s diverse customer base, including supporting more than 80,000 SME and corporate customers’ merchant acquiring needs. The deal is targeted to close in early 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

The Freshfields team was led by Global Transactions Partner Pervez Akhtar and Counsel Adam Halewood, and included Senior Associate Lara Dajani and Associate Andrea Pandazopoulos. Tax advice was provided by Partner Peter Clements, Counsels Rose Swaffield and Samuel Withnall and Associates Jonathan Bowering and Joseph Williams.  IP advice was provided by Partner Jon Scurr and Associate Taybah Siddiqi.