UAE's second Retail Sukuk deal signed with Emirates NBD

Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Finance signed its second agreement under the Retail Sukuk initiative, partnering now with Emirates NBD to give citizens and residents wider digital access to UAE Treasury Bonds and Islamic Treasury Sukuk.

The move follows the Ministry’s initial agreement earlier this month with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) – the first bank to offer retail access to government-backed Sukuk starting from Dh4,000.

Through Emirates NBD’s digital platform, individual investors can now buy fractional T-Bonds and T-Sukuk starting at Dh4,000. UAE nationals and residents with an Emirates ID or UAE PASS can register online, complete KYC requirements, build a risk profile, and review all terms related to each issuance.

Younis Haji AlKhoori, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, said the deal marks a further step in widening the number of national institutions supporting government-backed financial instruments.

“ENBD participation in the Retail Sukuk Initiative represents an advanced phase in widening the pool of national institutions supporting the Ministry’s national programmes, and aligns with our strategic approach to offer government financial instruments to individuals via digital channels. The initiative is not limited to offering investment products; it seeks to embed a culture of saving and sustainable investment among citizens and residents.”

He said the Ministry places a high priority on providing a “safe and user-friendly digital investment experience that allows them to access comprehensive information on available products, from issuance terms and returns to maturity dates.”

Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Wholesale Banking at Emirates NBD, said the partnership will help deepen the local debt market: “Our partnership with the Ministry of Finance demonstrates ENBD’s commitment to strengthening local capital markets.

“By providing individual investors with access to UAE T-Bonds and T-Sukuk via the ‘ENBD X’ mobile application, we contribute to deepening the domestic debt market and making it more dynamic and resilient, thereby supporting sustainable economic growth and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global centre for Islamic finance.”

He added that as one of the region’s leading banks, Emirates NBD will “continue to harness innovative technology to broaden and diversify market participation and to advance financial inclusion across the United Arab Emirates.”

All T-Bonds and T-Sukuk issued by the Ministry of Finance will be available on Emirates NBD’s platform through primary allocations or secondary-market trading. The bank will run awareness sessions, publish FAQs, and conduct periodic investor surveys to support new users and improve transparency.

The Ministry confirmed that this agreement is part of a broader set of partnerships with national banks under the Retail Sukuk initiative, aimed at giving individuals access to government-backed savings tools, promoting financial awareness and encouraging responsible saving across the UAE.