Nasdaq Dubai achieves the strongest annual performance in its history

The Nasdaq Dubai Stock Exchange has succeeded in attracting a record number of Sukuk listings during the year 2025, supported by the continued activity of issuances from regional and international bodies, in addition to the continuing global demand for debt instruments that are compatible with the provisions of Islamic Sharia, as the total value of outstanding Sukuks has increased by about eight-fold since 2013, from $12.6 billion to more than $100 billion, thus recording the strongest annual performance in its history.

Nasdaq Dubai stated in a statement yesterday that, since its establishment, it has hosted cumulative issuances of bonds and sukuks worth more than $245 billion, including $177 billion of sukuks.

The total value of existing debt instruments listed on both the Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai reached about $150.9 billion by the end of 2025, of which Nasdaq Dubai acquired $146.1 billion.

This growth is consistent with the UAE’s national strategy for Islamic finance and the halal industry, which aims to raise Islamic banking assets to 2.56 trillion dirhams, and increase sukuk listings to more than 660 billion dirhams locally, and 395 billion dirhams internationally by 2031.

During the year 2025, Nasdaq Dubai witnessed new listings of debt instruments worth $30.6 billion across 60 issues, at a record level that reflects the strength and diversity of listing activity.

The first listings of Ajman Bank, Omniyat, Mashreq Bank, China Development Bank and New Development Bank, in addition to repeated issuances within existing issuance programs, contributed to enhancing the attractiveness of the stock exchange to sovereign entities, international multilateral institutions, financial institutions and companies.

Sovereign issuers and government-related entities maintained their strong presence in the market over the past year, as issuances by Indonesia, the federal government of the UAE, and the governments of Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah contributed to strengthening Dubai’s position as a pivotal center for global capital flows.

Companies and financial institutions also listed a variety of instruments, including traditional bonds, sukuk, additional Tier 1 capital instruments, and sustainability-related instruments, highlighting the flexibility and diversity of the fixed income instrument market on Nasdaq Dubai.

During the year 2025, Nasdaq Dubai strengthened its position as a leading destination in the region in the field of sustainable financing, and by the end of the year the total value of debt instruments related to sustainability and environmental, social and corporate governance standards on the stock exchange reached $30.08 billion through 41 issuances, which included $18.38 billion in green bonds through 27 issuances, $9.05 billion in sustainability bonds across nine issues, and $2.55 billion in sustainability-related bonds across four issues. Issues, along with $100 million of blue bonds via a single issue.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nasdaq Dubai, Abdul Wahed Al Fahim, said: “The year 2025 was a turning point in Nasdaq Dubai’s journey, as the value of the listed sukuks exceeded $100 billion, and the stock exchange achieved record levels of debt instrument issuances, which reflects the strong confidence that issuers and investors around the world have in Nasdaq Dubai. These achievements confirm Dubai’s position as a reliable and globally interconnected center for Islamic finance, fixed income markets and sustainable investment.”

In turn, the CEO of the Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai, Hamed Ali, said: “Crossing the existing sukuk listings of $100 billion is a major achievement in 2025, and reflects the strongest annual performance in the history of Nasdaq Dubai,” stressing the strong and sustainable confidence that international and local issuers have in the stock exchange.

He added: “During the year 2025, Nasdaq Dubai witnessed new listings of debt instruments worth $30.6 billion across 60 issues, which confirms its position as an international platform for listing sukuk and fixed income instruments. Moving forward, our focus will remain directed towards strengthening international connectivity, expanding the scope of multi-currency and sustainability-linked instruments, and attracting new exporters from emerging and frontier markets, in a way that supports the sustainable growth of capital markets.”

• $150.9 billion value of debt instruments listed on the Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai by the end of 2025.