Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the UAE Central Bank, the “Middle East and North Africa Financial Inclusion Leaders Summit” was inaugurated by His Excellency Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank. This two-day summit, taking place in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Arab Monetary Fund and the World Bank, marked the launch of the استراتيجية الوطنية للشمول المالي 2026. This initiative aims to foster economic resilience and universal financial access across the UAE and the region.
Vision and Goals of the Financial Inclusion Strategy
The summit, which is the first of its kind to be held in the UAE, gathered influential figures, including His Excellency Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of the UAE Banks Federation, and His Excellency Abdul Rahman Al Saleh, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank. Key officials from various financial institutions, regulatory bodies, government agencies, and regional and international organizations were also present to discuss the vital components of the استراتيجية الوطنية للشمول المالي 2026.
Key Discussions and Themes
Focusing on the slogan “Shaping Regional and Global Agendas,” the summit tackled strategic issues that contribute to developing inclusive, responsible, and sustainable financial systems. Main topics included digital innovation, consumer protection, gender equality, and financial health. His Excellency Khaled Mohamed Balama emphasized the UAE’s unwavering commitment to enhancing financial inclusion as a cornerstone for sustainable development and economic resilience.
Launch of National and International Initiatives
On the first day of the summit, various national and international initiatives were unveiled to support financial inclusion. The Governor of the Central Bank announced the launch of the استراتيجية الوطنية للشمول المالي 2026. Developed by the Central Bank, this strategy received input from over 70 national entities, alongside support from international partners such as the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Future Objectives and Targets
Fatemah Al Jabri, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank for Anti-Money Laundering and Consumer Protection, stated that the strategy aims to achieve several objectives by 2030. Key targets include increasing the percentage of individuals with financial accounts and enhancing the proportion of people benefiting from digital payment technologies. The استراتيجية الوطنية للشمول المالي 2026 is designed to pave the way toward a more inclusive and efficient financial ecosystem for the UAE and the broader region.
The successful launch of this ambitious financial inclusion strategy not only reflects the UAE’s dedication to fostering economic growth but also positions it as a leading model for financial innovation and inclusivity worldwide.