Nasdaq Dubai welcomes Arab Energy Fund’s $500m Sukuk listing

Nasdaq Dubai welcomed the listing of a $500 million Sukuk issued by The Arab Energy Fund (TAEF), a leading multilateral impact financial institution focused on the energy sector. The transaction reflects the longstanding engagement between The Arab Energy Fund and Nasdaq Dubai and contributes to the depth of the exchange’s Sukuk market.

Issued under TAEF’s Trust Certificate Issuance Programme through APICORP Sukuk Limited, the Sukuk comprises $500 million Trust Certificates due 2031. The senior unsecured issuance carries a profit rate of 4.686 per cent and was priced at a spread of 70 basis points over SOFR.

The issuance attracted orders exceeding $900 million and was 2x oversubscribed, enabling pricing to tighten from initial guidance. The transaction saw strong and well-diversified demand across geographies and investor types, with the investor base including high-quality institutions such as central banks, sovereigns, supranational institutions, and agencies (SSAs), underscoring the strength of TAEF’s credit profile and market positioning.

The Trust Certificates are rated Aa2 by Moody’s and AA+ by Fitch, reflecting The Arab Energy Fund’s strong credit profile.

To mark the listing, Khalid Ali Al-Ruwaigh, Chief Executive Officer of The Arab Energy Fund, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai alongside Hamed Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and senior representatives from both organisations.

Vicky Bhatia, Chief Financial Officer of The Arab Energy Fund, said: “This transaction shows both the strength of our credit profile and our ability to work through difficult market conditions. Achieving pricing at SOFR+70bps with no new issue premium, despite the challenging market, demonstrates the confidence investors have in The Arab Energy Fund and its mission.’’ Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and DFM, said: “The Arab Energy Fund’s latest Sukuk listing adds to the depth of Nasdaq Dubai’s Sukuk market and reflects continued activity from supranational issuers in regional debt capital markets. As the Fund’s fourth listing on the exchange, the transaction highlights the role of established issuers in supporting market development and broadening investment opportunities for regional and international investors.” The latest issuance follows The Arab Energy Fund’s $500 million 10-year Sukuk listing earlier this year and forms part of its diversified funding strategy to support sustainable energy development across the Arab world.

As of today, the total outstanding value of Sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai exceeds $98.6 billion, reinforcing its position among the world’s leading venues for Islamic finance. Total outstanding value of debt listings on the exchange have surpassed $141 billion across sovereign, supranational, financial institution and corporate issuers.

Meanwhile Nasdaq Dubai, on 5th February 2026, welcomed the listing of a $500 million Sukuk issued by The Arab Energy Fund, a leading multilateral impact financial institution, marking its third issuance on the exchange. Issued under the Trust Certificate Issuance Programme, the Sukuk comprises $500 million Trust Certificates with a profit rate of 4.721 per cent. The senior unsecured Sukuk was issued at par and matures in 2036.

The Sukuk attracted strong investor demand, with an order book exceeding $1.6 billion, reflecting broad participation from regional and international investors. The Sukuk is rated Aa2 by Moody’s and AA+ by Fitch, in line with The Arab Energy Fund’s long-term credit ratings. This issuance marks The Arab Energy Fund’s first-ever 10-year Sukuk transaction, establishing a new longer-tenor pricing curve.

To mark the listing, Khalid Al-Ruwaigh, Chief Executive Officer, The Arab Energy Fund, rang the market-opening bell at Nasdaq Dubai, alongside Hamed Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market (DFM), and senior representatives from both organisations.

Vicky Bhatia, Chief Financial Officer, The Arab Energy Fund, said, “This Sukuk issuance reflects strong investor confidence in The Arab Energy Fund’s credit strength and long-term mandate. Our return to Nasdaq Dubai underscores its role as a leading platform for Islamic finance and international capital markets.”

Hamed Ali, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai and DFM, added, “We welcome The Arab Energy Fund’s Sukuk listing on Nasdaq Dubai, reflecting continued confidence among supranational issuers in our international debt capital markets.”

“The listing contributes to the depth and diversity of our Sukuk market and highlights the role of Nasdaq Dubai in Islamic finance. We continue to support issuers in accessing capital and engaging a broad base of regional and international investors.” Recently, The Arab Energy Fund also received regulatory approval to issue onshore Renminbi-denominated Panda Bonds in China, becoming the first multilateral financial institution in the Mena region to secure such approval, further strengthening its diversified funding strategy.

WAM