The Central Bank of the UAE has published an overview of its role in implementing the UAE Islamic Finance and Halal Industry Strategy 2025-2031, which the Cabinet approved in May 2025. The strategy targets AED 2.56 trillion in local Islamic finance assets by 2031 and seeks to expand Islamic financial institutions, deepen sukuk, money and investment fund markets, integrate Islamic finance with the halal industry and increase the impact of Islamic philanthropy. The supporting framework combines the Central Bank Law, the Commercial Transactions Law and standards issued through the Higher Shari'ah Authority to provide consistent rules for Shari'ah-compliant contracts, supervision, governance and dispute interpretation. The UAE has 43 licensed Islamic financial institutions, while Islamic bank assets reached AED 1.4 trillion as of June 2026. The framework includes more than 280 regulatory standards and resolutions and more than nine Shari'ah governance standards.
Central Bank of the UAE2026-08-13
Central Bank of the UAE outlines legal framework for Islamic finance strategy targeting AED 2.56 trillion in assets by 2031
The Central Bank of the UAE outlined the framework for implementing the UAE Islamic Finance and Halal Industry Strategy 2025-2031, which targets AED 2.56 trillion in local Islamic finance assets by 2031. The UAE has 43 licensed Islamic financial institutions, with Islamic bank assets of AED 1.4 trillion as of June 2026, supported by more than 280 regulatory standards and resolutions.