UAE Lists First Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk After Strong Demand

The UAE Ministry of Finance has officially celebrated the launch and listing of the country's first Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme on Nasdaq Dubai, marking a major step in expanding investment opportunities for individual investors and strengthening the nation's financial markets.

The opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai was rung by Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, during a ceremony held at the exchange's headquarters in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The event marked the start of secondary market trading for the government-backed investment programme.

Strong Investor Demand Exceeds Expectations

The inaugural Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme received exceptionally strong demand from investors during its subscription period.

Subscription requests reached AED445 million, nearly nine times higher than the original target issuance size of AED50 million. Due to the overwhelming response, the Ministry of Finance increased the total issuance to AED100 million.

The subscription period ran from 24 June to 30 June 2026, highlighting strong confidence in government-backed investment products that comply with Islamic Shariah principles.

Broad Participation from Retail Investors

The programme attracted a wide range of retail investors across the UAE.

Investors subscribing up to AED10,000 formed the largest group, representing 76 percent of all subscribers. UAE nationals accounted for 72 percent of the total subscriber base.

Participation from young investors under the age of 25 and women was also significant, with these two groups together making up 45 percent of all subscribers. The Ministry said these figures demonstrate the programme's success in promoting financial inclusion and encouraging wider participation in government investment opportunities.

Ministry Highlights Long-Term Financial Vision

Speaking during the ceremony, Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini said the UAE continues to build a resilient and inclusive economy supported by advanced financial and legislative systems that meet international standards.

He said the listing of the country's first Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme reflects the Ministry's long-term strategy to improve the efficiency of domestic capital markets while diversifying sovereign funding sources. According to him, the programme also provides secure investment options that support the UAE's long-term financial stability.

Al Hussaini added that the exceptionally high subscription levels show growing financial awareness among the public. He said the programme has successfully expanded access to government investment instruments while supporting financial inclusion through trusted and secure investment opportunities for all segments of society.

He further stated that the issuance strengthens the connection between fiscal policy and the country's key economic sectors by directing national capital toward projects that support sustainable development. He also reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to promoting financial innovation through cooperation with the Central Bank of the UAE and the country's financial markets.

Media Briefing Highlights Programme Benefits

Following the opening bell ceremony, the Ministry of Finance hosted a media briefing led by Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance.

He described the listing as an important milestone that supports the development of a more sustainable economy while giving individuals greater opportunities to contribute to the UAE's future growth.

AlKhoori said the Ministry worked closely with the Central Bank of the UAE and financial sector partners to develop a programme that connects the country's sovereign financing goals with the long-term savings plans of individual investors.

He also noted that the programme supports the objectives of the Year of Family 2026 by offering financial solutions designed to strengthen household financial resilience and encourage responsible financial planning among families.

According to AlKhoori, the strong subscription response reflects increasing investment awareness among both UAE nationals and residents, as well as confidence in the UAE Government's financial strength and secure investment environment.

He added that the Ministry remains focused on improving financial inclusion and expanding the country's capital markets by giving more people access to government-backed, Shariah-compliant investment opportunities that offer transparency, low risk and efficient trading.

Nasdaq Dubai Welcomes the New Listing

Hamed Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM), said the listing represents another important development for the UAE's capital markets.

He stated that the programme lowers the entry barrier for government-backed fixed-income investments by making them available through a transparent and regulated marketplace. According to him, this allows more retail investors to access an investment category that has traditionally been difficult for many individuals to enter.

Ali also said Nasdaq Dubai is proud to support the Ministry of Finance in expanding participation in the country's financial markets and increasing access to investment opportunities.

Trading Details and Investment Features

During the event, the Ministry of Finance presented detailed information about how the Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme will be traded and explained its key investment features.

The inaugural issuance has a two-year tenor and offers a 4.30 percent annual profit rate, with returns distributed every six months.

The sukuk are now available for trading on the secondary market through authorised exchange brokers. Trading is supported by dedicated market makers and liquidity providers to improve market liquidity, ensure efficient price discovery and facilitate smooth trading.

The programme has a minimum investment requirement of AED1,000, making government-backed investment opportunities accessible to a wider range of individual investors.

Partnership Behind the Programme

The Ministry of Finance developed the Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme in close partnership with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), Nasdaq Dubai, and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM).

The initiative also received support from several banking partners, including Emirates NBD Bank, Emirates Islamic Bank (EIB), Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Mashreq Bank, and Ajman Bank.

Supporting UAE Capital Markets

The listing expands access to government-backed, Shariah-compliant investment opportunities through a transparent and regulated marketplace. It is expected to support the continued growth of the UAE's domestic capital markets while encouraging long-term saving and investment among individuals.

The successful launch also strengthens Nasdaq Dubai's position as one of the world's leading international exchanges for Sukuk and fixed-income listings.

The exchange currently hosts more than US$98.6 billion in outstanding Sukuk listings and over US$141 billion in outstanding debt securities, supporting issuers from across the region and international markets while reinforcing Dubai's position as a global centre for Islamic finance.