Emiratisation in Banking and Insurance: Central Bank Targets 2026 and 2027
The Central Bank of the UAE sets Emiratisation targets for the firms it licenses: 45% by end 2026 for banks (45% in critical roles, 30% in leadership roles and voting committees), 30% by end 2026 for insurers, and 30% by end 2027 for exchange houses and finance companies. These apply on top of, not instead of, MoHRE's framework.
The Central Bank targets
| Firm type | Target | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Banks, overall | 45% | End 2026 |
| Banks, critical roles | 45% | End 2026 |
| Banks, leadership roles | 30% | End 2026 |
| Banks, voting committees | 30% | End 2026 |
| Insurance companies | 30% | End 2026 |
| Exchange houses | 30% | End 2027 |
| Finance companies | 30% | End 2027 |
| Insurance-related professions | 10% | End 2027 |
Source: Central Bank release of 22 April 2026, with data as of 31 December 2025.
Who these targets cover
Firms licensed by the Central Bank, wherever they are registered. Financial firms in DIFC and ADGM are regulated by the DFSA and FSRA rather than the Central Bank.
Careers: the Ethraa programme
Ethraa is the Central Bank's national programme for Emirati graduates in banking and insurance, run by the Emirates Institute of Finance. It lasts 12 months, places participants on employment contracts with banks or insurers, and covers credit, fintech, compliance, risk, cybersecurity, accounting and audit. See graduate programmes.
Frequently asked questions
01What is the Emiratisation target for banks in the UAE?
45% by the end of 2026, including 45% in critical roles and 30% in leadership roles and voting committees, set by the Central Bank of the UAE.
02What is the Emiratisation target for insurance companies?
30% by the end of 2026, set by the Central Bank. Insurance-related professions have a 10% target by the end of 2027.
03Do banking targets replace MoHRE's targets?
No. They are set by the Central Bank for the firms it licenses and sit alongside MoHRE's framework.
Sources
- CBUAE achieves significant progress in Emiratisation across banking, financial and insurance sectors. Central Bank of the UAE, 22 April 2026.
- Ethraa. Emirates Institute of Finance.
This page explains UAE Emiratisation rules for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm against the official MoHRE, Nafis or Central Bank source linked above before acting. StrongYes is an independent publication and is not affiliated with MoHRE, Nafis, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council or any UAE government body. Full disclaimer.