CBUAE report highlights strong growth in UAE financial system

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) issued on Thursday its 2025 annual report, highlighting the achievements and strategic initiatives that have been key pillars in driving national economic growth and strengthening the resilience of the financial, banking, and insurance sectors, in line with the UAE’s strategic objectives and future aspirations.

The report underscores the financial system’s high resilience in adapting to global developments through proactive monetary policies, advanced regulatory frameworks, and innovative digital solutions. These factors have cemented the UAE’s position as a leading global financial hub based on the highest standards of governance and transparency.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CBUAE, stated, “The UAE is firmly and confidently advancing its comprehensive and sustainable development model, guided by a forward-looking leadership vision that has positioned its economy to be among the most resilient and diversified economies regionally and globally.

“In light of rapid global economic transitions, the UAE has demonstrated a solid ability to maintain stability and enhance growth momentum, reflecting the strength of its economic policies and the effectiveness of its national institutions. This has strengthened its position as a global financial hub that commands the confidence of investors and international partners.”

Sheikh Mansour added that the CBUAE maintains a pivotal role in safeguarding monetary and financial stability, strengthening the resilience of the financial sector, and consolidating sustainable economic growth. “The CBUAE is also leading advanced efforts to develop regulatory and supervisory frameworks, upgrade financial infrastructure, accelerate the pace of digital transformation in the financial system, and deepen partnerships and integration with regional and international financial institutions.”

Sheikh Mansour noted that these policies are clearly reflected in strong macroeconomic performance, with real GDP recording an estimated growth of approximately 5.6% in 2025, driven by qualitative expansion in the non-oil sectors, which have become the primary driver of economic diversification.

As the UAE confidently advances toward broader development prospects, Sheikh Mansour affirmed that the CBUAE will continue to fulfil its national mandate to preserve financial stability and reinforce confidence in the financial system, ensuring it remains a key pillar that enhances progress and prosperity, while keeping pace with the UAE’s ambitions to achieve sustainable development and a global competitive economy.

The report highlights an exceptional economic performance, with real GDP growth of 5.6% in 2025. This growth was supported by the growing contribution of non-oil sectors, as well as the success of economic diversification strategies and proactive monetary policies in reducing inflationary pressures to stable levels of 1.3%, further supporting the competitiveness of the national economy. The report also reflects a sustainable financial outlook, emphasising the continued growth of real GDP in 2026, which underscores high confidence in the UAE’s financial system.

WAM