Central Bank of the UAE launches National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026–2030 at MENA Leaders’ Summit on Financial Inclusion

The Central Bank of the UAE opened the Middle East and North Africa Leaders’ Summit on Financial Inclusion in Abu Dhabi and unveiled the UAE National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2026–2030, setting a national framework to broaden fair and secure access to financial services. Developed with the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Arab Monetary Fund, with input from more than 70 national stakeholders, the NFIS prioritises strengthening the legislative framework for financial inclusion, accelerating digital transformation in financial services, improving financial literacy and well-being, and using data and artificial intelligence to support innovation and the development of a National Financial Wellbeing Index. The strategy sets objectives to be achieved by 2030, including increasing the share of individuals with financial accounts and expanding the use of digital payment technologies, and contains 12 initiatives such as universal financial accounts for all residents, products for women, youth and people of determination, and improved access to finance for entrepreneurs and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The two-day summit, hosted by the Central Bank of the UAE in partnership with the Arab Monetary Fund and the World Bank, also announced the Arab region’s Findex results and confirmed that the UAE will host Global Money Week in 2026.