Image Credit : WAM
In a landmark move to strengthen financial inclusion and promote a culture of savings and investment, the UAE Ministry of Finance has unveiled the Retail Sukuk Initiative a new programme that allows citizens and residents to directly invest in government-backed Islamic Treasury Sukuk (T-Sukuk).
The initiative, launched under the leadership of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, marks a pivotal moment in the UAE’s financial development.
Through this programme, individuals will now be able to invest in safe, Sharia-compliant government instruments starting from as little as AED 4,000, making participation in the national financial ecosystem more accessible than ever before. The Ministry confirmed that the first participating bank will be announced on November 3, 2025, in collaboration with key national banking partners.
Announcing the initiative on X (formerly Twitter), Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed said the launch “translates our leadership’s vision of empowering individuals, promoting a culture of saving, and developing government investment instruments that enhance individual participation in economic growth and provide a direct opportunity to contribute to the UAE’s national development journey.”
He added that the Retail Sukuk “will contribute to expanding the investor base for government financial instruments and empower individuals to invest with ease and confidence.”
By opening access to government-backed sukuk, the initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader economic vision encouraging long-term saving habits, diversifying sources of funding, and strengthening the domestic capital markets. It also reinforces the country’s goal of building a robust, transparent debt market that supports dirham-denominated securities.
Sheikh Maktoum further emphasized, “Our economy continues to create opportunities, inspire confidence, and reaffirm the UAE’s position as a global model for human empowerment and sustainable economic leadership.”
The Retail Sukuk Initiative complements recent steps by the UAE to expand its domestic bond and sukuk programmes, fostering greater participation from both institutional and individual investors. With this new offering, residents can now take part directly in the UAE’s journey of fiscal growth, national development, and financial sustainability.
