The Central Bank issues the 2025 report… exceptional growth and qualitative achievements that consolidate the stability of the country’s financial system
Abu Dhabi, 9 April / WAM / The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates today issued its annual report for the year 2025, which highlights the achievements and transformational initiatives that represented an essential pillar for driving the growth of the national economy and enhancing the strength of the financial, banking and insurance sectors, in line with the country’s strategic goals and future aspirations.
The report highlights the high flexibility of the financial system in adapting to global changes by adopting proactive monetary policies, advanced supervisory frameworks, and innovative digital solutions. These factors have consolidated the country’s position as a leading global financial center based on the highest standards of governance and transparency.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Presidential Cabinet, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, said that the United Arab Emirates continues to consolidate its comprehensive and sustainable development model with confidence and consistency, based on a forward-looking leadership vision that has made its economy one of the most flexible and diversified economies at the regional and global levels. In light of the rapid global economic transformations, the country has demonstrated a solid ability to maintain stability and enhance the momentum of growth, which reflects… The solidity of its economic policies and the efficiency of its national institutions, which enhances its position as a global financial center that enjoys the trust of international investors and partners.
His Highness added that, in this context, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, enhancing the solidity of the financial sector, and consolidating the foundations of sustainable economic growth. The bank is also leading advanced efforts to develop regulatory and supervisory frameworks, upgrade the financial infrastructure, and accelerate the pace of digital transformation in the financial system, in addition to deepening partnerships and integration with regional and international financial institutions.
His Highness pointed out that these policies were clearly reflected in the strong performance of the overall economy, as the real gross domestic product recorded a growth estimated at about 5.6% during the year 2025, driven by the qualitative expansion in the non-oil sectors, which have become the main driver of the economic diversification process.
His Highness said that as the UAE moves confidently towards broader development horizons, the Central Bank of the UAE will continue to carry out its national responsibilities in consolidating financial stability and enhancing confidence in the country’s financial system, ensuring that it remains a basic pillar that supports the process of progress and prosperity, and keeps pace with the country’s ambitions to achieve sustainable development and a global competitive economy.
The report showed an exceptional economic performance, with real GDP growth reaching 5.6% for the year 2025. This growth was supported by the growing contribution of non-oil sectors, the success of economic diversification strategies and proactive monetary policies in reducing inflationary pressures to stable levels of 1.3% to support the competitiveness of the national economy. The report also reflects a sustainable financial future, confirming the continuity of real GDP growth in 2026, which confirms high confidence in the country’s financial system.
The banking sector achieved regional leadership with assets amounting to 5.4 trillion dirhams, based on the growth of the credit portfolio by 17.9% and deposits by 16.2%, which confirms the financial solvency of the sector and its high ability to meet the growing demand for credit in a stimulating business environment, while the insurance sector continued the path of qualitative growth with a noticeable increase in total written premiums by 15.5% to reach 75.2 billion dirhams, in parallel with the increase in total assets. To 166.7 billion dirhams, which consolidates the important role of the sector in the financial stability system and protecting the state’s economic gains.
In the field of developing supervisory and monitoring systems, the Central Bank strengthened the financial system through additional capital buffers and the adoption of a neutral buffer of 0.5% to ensure credit continuity.
The results of the stress tests demonstrated the efficiency of the banking sector in confronting risks, with capital adequacy rates remaining above regulatory limits and a significant improvement in asset quality in accordance with the highest international standards.
The Central Bank has also consolidated its regulatory framework by integrating climate risks and IT governance into its supervisory priorities, in parallel with intensifying field oversight to ensure the highest levels of compliance.
These efforts culminated in the use of Supervisory Technology (SupTech) tools and big data analysis, which enabled the transition to a proactive risk assessment phase, enhancing the digital readiness and global competitiveness of the financial sector.
Federal Decree Law No. 6 of 2025 regarding the Central Bank and the regulation of financial institutions, activities, and insurance businesses represents a qualitative leap by integrating supervision of the banking and insurance sectors to enhance financial stability and operational independence.
The new law grants the Central Bank proactive powers to intervene early, restructure, and protect the rights of depositors and insureds, while consolidating its role as a market maker and last resort for liquidity, and lifting penalties to ensure the highest levels of compliance and governance in accordance with international standards.
In the field of digital transformation, the Central Bank is leading a radical transformation in the financial landscape through strategic initiatives that have placed the UAE at the forefront of global innovation. These achievements have included doubling the number of licensed financial technology companies to 36 companies, and launching the “Jisr” platform for international settlements, in conjunction with the “Digital Dirham” completing its components as an official payment tool with an advanced visual identity and implementing its first government transactions. The “Al-Tariq” platform for open financing has also been activated, the automation of settlement processes, and the development of the international central depository system, in a step that confirms The Central Bank’s commitment to creating a sustainable financial future based on tomorrow’s solutions.
Within the framework of promoting inclusion and financial health, the Central Bank launched the “National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030” to ensure all groups have access to high-quality financial services, while promoting a culture of financial health for individuals and companies.
In parallel, the country has consolidated its position as a global reference for Islamic finance by adopting the “National Strategy for Islamic Finance and the Halal Industry,” supported by a solid legislative system that contributes to enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness in the fields of Islamic finance.
The Emiratisation file achieved a qualitative and standard achievement that exceeds the targets of the “Ithra” Emiratisation program in the financial sector by reaching about 160% of the target for the year 2025, while empowering them in strategic leadership positions through academic and technical qualification according to international standards in cooperation with the Emirates Financial Institute.
On this occasion, His Excellency Khaled Mohammed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank, said: In embodiment of the vision of the wise leadership and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Presidential Office, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the Emirates, the Central Bank continues to consolidate the foundations of a solid financial system that enjoys the highest levels of flexibility and efficiency through a proactive supervisory system and rational management of reserves that supports sustainable growth, and the year 2025 represents a qualitative start to enable the future. The financial sector through advanced precautionary tools, dynamic policies that are highly responsive to changes, and driving innovation and digital transformation for the sustainability of the financial system.
His Excellency added: We continue to consolidate the UAE’s leadership as a global financial center, and create a financial future that embodies international confidence in our innovative economic model, ensuring the promotion of sustainable growth and its future prospects.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
