Botim Targets UAE-Bound Filipinos Through BDO Unibank Partnership
Botim has integrated its digital services into the Philippines’ Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) program through an ongoing partnership with BDO Unibank, expanding access to financial tools for Filipinos preparing to work in the United Arab Emirates.
The initiative is designed to reach an estimated 700,000 Filipinos employed in the UAE by enabling them to activate digital wallets and access cross-border financial services before they leave the Philippines. According to the announcement, the program will run throughout 2026 across BDO Unibank’s nationwide branch network.
During the seminars, participants receive structured briefings, financial literacy sessions, and on-the-spot onboarding for the Botim app. The approach moves customer acquisition to an earlier stage in the migration journey, giving Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) access to a regulated platform before they arrive in the UAE.
Botim’s services available through the partnership include payments, remittances, credit, and savings. The app also offers free voice and video calling, which remains a core function for its user base, including the 10.8 million Filipinos living overseas.
By introducing workers to digital financial services before departure, the companies aim to reduce the friction often involved in setting up financial arrangements in a new country. Early activation is also intended to help users establish positive financial habits and become familiar with regulated services ahead of their arrival in the UAE.
Hesham Sherif, VP of Remittance Business at Botim, said the UAE provides an opportunity for people to work and build a better future for their families. He added that introducing Botim through the PDOS sessions with BDO Unibank is intended to help the Filipino community navigate the UAE’s financial system with confidence.
Sherif also noted that the platform allows users to begin building financial habits without many of the traditional barriers associated with saving and managing money.
Maria Lourdes A. Donato, VP and Head of Domestic Business Development at BDO Remittance, said the seminars are meant to prepare workers for life overseas. She said introducing Botim during these sessions helps participants become comfortable with a trusted digital platform before departure, supporting their transition into a new chapter abroad.
Industry Analysis
The partnership reflects a broader trend in fintech toward embedding financial services earlier in a customer’s lifecycle, particularly in cross-border and remittance-driven markets. By aligning with a pre-departure government-linked orientation program, Botim and BDO Unibank are reaching users at a moment when financial needs are immediate and long-term service adoption may be easier to secure.
For the broader remittance and digital banking sector, the move highlights the strategic value of combining financial literacy, onboarding, and migration support in one channel. It also underscores the growing role of regulated digital platforms in serving overseas workers who need access to payments and remittances from the outset of their relocation.
