Emiratisation Jobs: 10,000 Emiratis Hired in Finance
Emiratisation jobs in finance: more than 10,000 Emiratis found jobs in the financial sector in four years, Dubai's economic development chief says.
UAEIn brief
- More than 10,000 Emiratis found jobs in the financial sector over the past four years.
- About 25,000 Emiratis now work in the sector, according to DEDC CEO Hadi Badri.
- Dubai wants Emiratis in finance to gain more revenue-generating and international experience.
- Officials see AI and finance as major growth engines under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
| Country | UAE |
|---|---|
| Organization | Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC) |
| Official source | Khaleej Times – DEDC chief on Emiratis in the finance sector ✓ khaleejtimes.com |
Emiratisation jobs in finance are growing fast. More than 10,000 Emiratis have found work in the UAE's financial sector over the past four years, and about 25,000 Emiratis now work in the industry. Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), shared the figures at the Dubai FinTech Summit on 2 November 2026.
What did the DEDC chief say?
Badri said Dubai has no shortage of local talent in finance, and that Emirati professionals are learning from experienced international colleagues. The next goal, he said, is to give Emiratis in financial services more exposure to revenue-generating roles and international experience.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Emiratis hired into finance (last 4 years) | 10,000+ |
| Emiratis working in finance in total | About 25,000 |
| Who said it | Hadi Badri, CEO, Dubai Economic Development Corporation |
| Where | Dubai FinTech Summit 2026, organised by DIFC |
DEDC is the economic development arm of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Why is Dubai's finance sector still hiring?
Badri described Dubai as the "bank of the region" and said finance is a key part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Dubai wants to:
- Grow trade finance
- Attract more growth capital, private equity and venture capital
- Help banks lend more to small and medium businesses (SMEs)
He also said artificial intelligence will be a major growth engine and could help drive productivity gains linked to around 60% of the D33 agenda.
Which finance jobs suit Emirati job seekers?
Based on where Dubai is pushing growth, these areas are worth watching:
- Relationship management and sales – the revenue-generating roles officials want more Emiratis in
- Trade finance and corporate banking
- Fintech, payments and digital banking
- Risk, compliance and regulation
- Private equity and venture capital analyst roles
- AI and data roles inside banks and fintech firms
These are typical career paths in the sector, not a list of confirmed vacancies.
How do I apply?
Emirati job seekers can register on the federal Nafis platform, which lists private-sector jobs for UAE nationals, and apply directly on banks' and financial firms' official careers pages. Watch for bank-led Emirati career fairs, which often include on-the-spot interviews.
What it means for job seekers
- Finance is a strong path for Emiratis. Thousands have been hired in recent years.
- Aim for client-facing and revenue roles. That is where officials say they want more Emirati talent.
- Build AI and digital skills. Banks are investing heavily in AI and fintech.
- Use career fairs. See the Ethraa career fair offering 1,350 banking jobs for Emiratis and the Nafis hiring deadline for private firms.
More openings: all UAE jobs
Frequently asked questions
How many Emiratis work in the UAE finance sector?
About 25,000, according to Dubai Economic Development Corporation CEO Hadi Badri, with more than 10,000 joining in the past four years.
Is the finance sector a good career for Emiratis?
Yes. Hiring of Emiratis in finance has grown quickly, and Dubai plans to expand banking, trade finance, private equity and venture capital under D33.
What roles will Emiratis be pushed towards in finance?
Dubai's economic officials want more Emiratis in revenue-generating roles and in jobs with international exposure.
Where can Emiratis find finance jobs?
On the Nafis platform, banks' own careers pages and at Emirati career fairs held by banks and government bodies.
Apply only through the official source.
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