The UAE Ministry of Finance has entered into a second agreement under its “Retail Sukuk” initiative with Emirates NBD, one of the leading banking groups in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region. This partnership aims to make it easier for citizens and residents to invest in UAE Government Treasury Bonds (T-Bonds) and Islamic Treasury Sukuk (T-Sukuk) through digital platforms.
With this agreement, individual investors can now access fractional T-Bonds and T-Sukuk with a minimum investment amount of 4,000 dirhams. The initiative is designed to expand the investor base and promote financial inclusion throughout the country. UAE nationals and residents who have an Emirates ID or use UAE PASS can register online on Emirates NBD’s platform, complete know-your-customer requirements, create a risk profile, and review details about available government bonds.
H.E. Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated: “Emirates NBD participation in the Retail Sukuk Initiative represents an advanced phase in widening the pool of national institutions supporting the Ministry’s national programmes, and aligns with our strategic approach to offer government financial instruments to individuals via digital channels. The initiative is not limited to offering investment products; it seeks to embed a culture of saving and sustainable investment among citizens and residents.”
AlKhoori also said that working with national financial institutions shows the Ministry’s commitment to empowering the private sector in developing innovative government-backed financial tools that help deepen local capital markets and encourage sustainable economic growth. He added that providing individuals with safe digital investment options allows them easy access to information about products such as issuance terms, returns, and maturity dates. AlKhoori noted that enabling families to plan their finances using reliable government-supported tools supports long-term stability.
Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, commented: “Our partnership with the Ministry of Finance demonstrates Emirates NBD’s commitment to strengthening local capital markets. By providing individual investors with access to UAE T-Bonds and T-Sukuk via the ‘ENBD X’ mobile application, we contribute to deepening the domestic debt market and making it more dynamic and resilient, thereby supporting sustainable economic growth and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global centre for Islamic finance.”
He continued: “As one of the region’s leading national banks, Emirates NBD continues to harness innovative technology to broaden and diversify market participation and to advance financial inclusion across the United Arab Emirates.”
All government-issued T-Bonds and T-Sukuk will be listed on Emirates NBD’s platform. Investors will be able either subscribe during primary allocations or trade these instruments on secondary markets through this channel. The bank plans additional steps such as hosting awareness sessions on finance topics for potential investors, adding a dedicated FAQ section online, and conducting regular surveys for feedback.
The Ministry described this agreement as part of ongoing strategic partnerships with several national banks under its Retail Sukuk Initiative. The broader goal is expanding public access to sovereign bonds while promoting responsible saving habits as part of efforts toward long-term financial sustainability in the country.
