The Central Bank achieves a qualitative leap in efforts to localize the banking, financial and insurance sectors
Abu Dhabi, April 22 / WAM / The Central Bank continued its strategic efforts to enhance Emiratisation in the banking, financial and insurance sectors, embodying the vision of the wise leadership, and in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Presidential Office, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates.
According to a press release issued today, the Central Bank is continuing these efforts within the framework of its commitment to supporting national priorities, empowering national competencies, and consolidating the foundations of sustainability and economic growth, through an integrated system that combines the development of regulatory frameworks, the development of professional paths, and investment in human capital.
According to data updated until December 31, 2025, the total number of male and female citizens working in the banking, financial and insurance sectors reached 23,364 male and female citizens, while the Emiratization rate in the sector reached 31%.
During the year 2025, the total number of male and female citizens who were employed reached 2,901 male and female citizens, exceeding the annual target of 1,816, with a completion rate of 160% of the target.
The data also showed that the total number of jobs targeted for citizens during the period from 2022 to 2027 is about 10,300 jobs, while the number of people employed exceeded this target to reach 10,780 male and female citizens by the end of December 2025. Likewise, the percentage of commitment of licensed financial institutions to Emiratization targets was 97%, which reflects the effectiveness of the policies adopted and the success of Emiratization efforts in the sector.
The Central Bank, in cooperation with federal and local authorities, launched a number of specific initiatives aimed at expanding the scope of Emiratisation and enhancing its results.
In line with these efforts, five banks within the “Al Ain Initiative” committed to employing 1,700 national talents during the years 2025 and 2026. The completion rate by the end of December 2025 reached about 60%, after employing 1,016 male and female citizens.
The Central Bank, in cooperation with the Emirates Council for Balanced Development and the Government of Fujairah, also continues to implement the initiative for the areas with the highest numbers of job seekers, which include Al Dhafra and Al Sila in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Al Shuwaib in the city of Al Ain, Masfoot in the Emirate of Ajman, Al Rams in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and Qadfa and Murbah in the Emirate of Fujairah, with a total of 500 targeted jobs during the period from 2025 to 2027.
The number of citizens who were appointed by the end of December 2025 reached about 120 male and female citizens, with a completion rate of 24%.
Within the framework of investing in developing national skills, the Central Bank, in cooperation with the Emirates Financial Institute, continues to support specialized training and qualification programs, to empower national competencies and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the future of the sector.
During the year 2025, the total number of male and female citizens who were trained in the training programs reached 17,338 trainees, out of 38,064 trainees, equivalent to 46% of the total trainees.
The total number of graduates of “Ithra” programs during the period from 2022 to 2025 reached about 5,500 male and female citizens, while the “Ithra” Emiratisation exhibitions for the year 2025 resulted in the employment of 2,396 male and female citizens, in a clear reflection of the effectiveness of the initiatives that link training, qualification and direct employment opportunities.
In terms of specialized qualification, the Central Bank continued to support the Actuarial Programme, as the number of male and female citizens enrolled in the program during the period from 2023 to 2025 reached about 17 male and female students at the Higher Colleges of Technology, and 29 male and female students through the Office of Foreign Missions in the United States of America, Canada, and Australia.
It is noteworthy that the Emirates Financial Institute provides 25 internationally recognized professional certificates, including the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certificate, the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) certificate, the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certificate, the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML & CFT) certificate, the Certified Banking Operations (CBO) certificate, the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certificate, in addition to a certificate in insurance in the fields of underwriting and claims processing (AII).
His Excellency Khaled Mohammed Al-Amaa, Governor of the Central Bank of the Emirates, said that Emiratisation in the financial and insurance sectors represents a fundamental pillar in the process of building a sustainable national economy, as the Emirates Central Bank is keen to develop an integrated system that ensures the empowerment of national competencies and enhances the readiness of these sectors for the requirements of the future, which contributes to consolidating financial stability and supporting the UAE’s competitiveness at the global level. The Central Bank also continues to work with strategic partners to establish an integrated approach that supports the achievement of Emiratisation goals and expands opportunities for professional development and qualitative qualification. For national competencies.
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