UAE insurance sector assets reach Dhs164.9 billion, up 6.1%

The UAE insurance sector continued its strong growth in 2025, recording improvements across most key performance indicators, driven by higher gross written premiums, paid claims, technical provisions and total assets, reflecting the sector's strength and its growing role in supporting the country's financial and economic stability.

Data from the annual statistical report on insurance activity in the UAE, issued by the Central Bank of the UAE, showed that gross written premiums rose to Dhs74.8 billion in 2025, up 14.9 per cent from Dhs65.1 billion in 2024. Total paid claims increased to Dhs46.2 billion, up 11 per cent, while technical provisions rose by 4.4 per cent to Dhs96.3 billion.

Total assets of the insurance sector reached Dhs164.9 billion, an increase of 6.1 per cent compared with Dhs155.5 billion in 2024. Invested assets stood at Dhs96.4 billion, equivalent to 58.4 per cent of the sector's total assets, underscoring the sector's importance as a contributor to investment activity and the national economy.

In terms of financial performance, total profits of insurance companies rose to Dhs4 billion from Dhs2.6 billion in 2024, while the premium retention ratio increased to 56 per cent from 54.9 per cent a year earlier.

The figures also reflect an expanding demand base for insurance products in the UAE, with the number of active insurance policies reaching 17.3 million. The number of health insurance policies increased by 26.1 per cent following the implementation of the mandatory basic health insurance scheme.

The number of insurance companies operating in the UAE stood at 58, while the number of insurance-related professions reached 515, reflecting the breadth of the insurance ecosystem and the diversity of associated activities and services.

Available capital in the insurance sector stood at 455 per cent of the minimum required level, while insurance density reached around Dhs6,500 per capita. These indicators reflect the sector's strong capital base and high levels of insurance coverage, supporting its ability to sustain growth and meet the needs of the expanding economy.

The 2025 indicators underline the growing economic role of the UAE insurance sector as a key component of the financial stability framework, a driver of investment growth and risk management, and a supporter of broader economic activity and the competitiveness of the country's business environment.

FAB launches fully automated, paperless loan journey: First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has launched its first fully automated, paperless personal loan journey, supported by an integration with the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR).

The new journey transforms FAB’s traditionally manual personal loan application process into an end-to-end digital experience for eligible customers within the FAHR-integrated employer network.

Through a secure digital link with FAHR’s central HR system, the journey enables real-time salary validation and automated data entry, reducing the need for customers to manually collect, scan, print or submit traditional salary certificates and salary transfer letters.

The launch marks an important step in FAB’s digital lending transformation, moving personal loan applications from manual processing towards a more automated, paperless and customer-friendly experience.

By integrating verified employment and salary information directly into the application journey, FAB is helping reduce administrative steps, improve data accuracy and support faster processing.

Eligible customers can complete the application in a few simple steps, with the system securely retrieving up-to-date employment and salary information to support FAB’s credit evaluation process. The journey is designed to reduce friction for customers and employers by limiting the need for physical documentation or manual HR intervention.

The launch reflects FAB’s continued investment in digital banking capabilities that simplify customer journeys and deliver more efficient, secure and accessible financial services. It also reinforces FAB’s focus on working with strategic partners to support the UAE’s wider digital transformation agenda.

National Bonds launches 'Ahed Council': National Bonds has announced the launch of "Ahed Council,” an open-membership community advisory platform, coinciding with Emirati Women’s Day 2026, celebrated this year under the theme "We Emerge Stronger and Better.” Unlike traditional advisory councils with limited membership, Ahed Council has been designed as an inclusive platform open to all women across the UAE.

It will host dedicated dialogue sessions tailored to different segments of society, with the aim of understanding the specific financial needs of each group and translating these insights into savings and investment solutions and initiatives that are more closely aligned with their specific circumstances.

The establishment of the Council represents a strategic step that reflects National Bonds’ commitment to developing savings and investment solutions that are more closely aligned with women’s aspirations across different stages of life and backgrounds. It is rooted in the company’s belief that women are key partners in the nation’s economic development journey.

Ahed Council will contribute to the development of products and services by providing practical insights into the financial priorities of different segments, anticipating emerging savings and investment trends, and supporting financial literacy and financial inclusion initiatives.

Through the Council, National Bonds aims to increase participation in the "Generation Shapers” initiative to 100% within three years, with progress reviewed periodically, reflecting the company’s commitment to translating the Council’s outcomes into tangible impact.

The Council’s inaugural gathering featured an engaging dialogue among participants on ways to strengthen the culture of saving and enhance financial awareness among women in the UAE.

The session also highlighted the "Generation Shapers” initiative as a practical model for transforming ideas and recommendations into impactful programs that serve women and families, while supporting the UAE’s aspirations for a more financially aware and future-ready society.

On this occasion, Rehab Lootah, Deputy Group CEO of National Bonds, said, "The launch of Ahed Council, coinciding with Emirati Women’s Day, is a natural extension of our commitment to placing women at the heart of shaping the future of financial wellbeing. We intentionally designed the Council to be open to all women across the UAE, representing diverse demographic backgrounds, because meaningful financial empowerment can only be achieved by listening to each segment of society and understanding its unique needs. Empowering women financially goes beyond strengthening a culture of saving; it contributes to building more stable families and a more prosperous and sustainable society.”

Lootah added, "We deeply value the contribution of every woman who shared her perspectives and experiences with us. These diverse viewpoints give us a deeper understanding of the financial priorities of women across the UAE and support our efforts to develop more impactful and sustainable initiatives that benefit women, families and the wider community.” The initiative forms part of National Bonds’ contribution to the nationwide celebration of Emirati Women’s Day and reflects the company’s continued commitment to advancing the economic and financial empowerment of women across the UAE.

It also reinforces women’s role as active partners in building a more stable and prosperous future for families and society.

WAM