Photo Credit : WAM
The UAE Ministry of Finance has celebrated the official listing of the country’s first-ever Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme on Nasdaq Dubai, marking a major step in expanding access to government-backed investment opportunities for retail investors.
The milestone was marked by an opening bell ceremony led by Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini at Nasdaq Dubai’s headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
The inaugural issuance attracted overwhelming investor interest, with subscription requests reaching AED445 million, nearly nine times the original target of AED50 million. In response, the Ministry increased the final issuance size to AED100 million.
The programme saw strong participation from a broad range of investors, with 76 percent of subscribers investing up to AED10,000. UAE nationals made up 72 percent of the total subscriber base, while women and investors under 25 accounted for 45 percent, highlighting the initiative’s role in promoting financial inclusion.
Speaking at the event, Al Hussaini said the listing reflects the UAE’s long-term strategy to diversify sovereign funding sources, strengthen domestic capital markets and create secure, accessible investment channels for the public.
Younis Haji Al Khoori described the programme as a strategic bridge between the country’s sovereign financing goals and the savings ambitions of individuals, adding that it supports the objectives of the Year of Family 2026 by encouraging stronger household financial planning.
Meanwhile, Hamed Ali said the sukuk lowers the entry barrier for retail investors seeking government-backed fixed-income assets in a transparent and regulated marketplace.
The two-year sukuk offers an annual profit rate of 4.30 percent, with returns paid every six months. With a minimum investment threshold of AED1,000, the instrument is now available for trading on the secondary market through authorised brokers.
The launch was delivered in collaboration with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai Financial Market, and major banking partners including Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Mashreq Bank and Ajman Bank.
The listing further reinforces Dubai’s position as a global hub for Islamic finance, with Nasdaq Dubai currently hosting more than $98.6 billion in sukuk listings and over $141 billion in debt securities.
