Retail investors in the UAE will soon gain access to Sharia-compliant government bonds, previously limited to institutional investors.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the UAE treasury sukuk (T-sukuk) will be issued in dirhams, with a minimum investment requirement of AED4,000 (USD1,089).
Investors will be able to purchase the sukuk via digital platforms operated by selected banks, with the first participating institution set to be announced on November 3.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Finance, stated that the initiative is designed to offer citizens and residents an “accessible, comprehensive digital experience” for investing in government bonds.
He added that the move marks a strategic effort to enhance financial inclusion and encourage a culture of long-term savings across the country.
Traditionally, sukuk investment in the Gulf has been restricted to institutional and high-net-worth investors due to high minimum entry requirements.
In April, AGBI reported that Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank launched Smart Sukuk — a fractional investment platform tailored for retail investors — similar in structure to the recently announced government initiative.
Analysts told AGBI last month that retail investors in the Gulf have largely missed out on this year’s equity market rally, with most of the gains from record-breaking IPOs going to state-owned firms and major family groups.
