UAE Launches National Financial Literacy Strategy 2027–2031

The Central Bank of the UAE has launched the National Financial Literacy Strategy 2027–2031, establishing a five-year national roadmap to strengthen financial knowledge and decision-making across the country. The strategy is designed to support individuals at different stages of life as well as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), helping them make financial decisions more confidently, responsibly and safely.

The initiative was announced during the MENA Leaders’ Summit on Financial Health, organised by the Central Bank in Abu Dhabi on 30 September and 1 October 2026.

The new strategy forms part of a broader shift in the UAE's approach to financial inclusion.

Rather than assessing progress only through indicators such as access to bank accounts or the volume of financial transactions, the Central Bank is placing greater emphasis on actual financial outcomes. These include the ability to withstand unexpected financial shocks, build long-term savings, borrow responsibly and make informed financial decisions.

This approach complements the UAE National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026–2030, which focuses on financial capability, responsible access and usage, digital financial services, regulation and data-driven monitoring.

An important feature of the National Financial Literacy Strategy is that it is not directed solely at individual consumers. MSMEs are specifically included within the national roadmap. This recognises that financial capability is also important for smaller businesses when making decisions involving financing, borrowing, cash-flow management and the use of financial products and services.

The Central Bank's legal framework also specifically provides for nationwide financial-literacy programmes covering responsible borrowing, savings, investment risks and digital financial services.

Fraud and AI-enabled scams form part of the wider financial-health agenda. The launch comes as increasingly sophisticated forms of financial fraud are becoming an important area of concern.

The MENA Leaders’ Summit programme specifically addressed emerging risks including financial fraud, AI-enabled scams and over-indebtedness, alongside financial education and responsible borrowing.

It is important, however, to distinguish between the financial-literacy strategy and new regulation. The strategy does not itself introduce new penalties or financial-scam rules. It is a national education and capability framework intended to improve financial decision-making and resilience.

The Central Bank's wider programme also includes a Financial Health Innovation Challenge, aimed at identifying practical solutions that can improve financial health for individuals and MSMEs. The initiative will allow selected solutions to be tested in cooperation with UAE-licensed financial institutions, with support available through grants and partnerships. Applications are open until 30 November 2026.

The challenge focuses on areas including managing everyday finances, handling financial shocks, pursuing longer-term financial goals and improving confidence in financial decision-making.

NUR Advisory Note

The National Financial Literacy Strategy has relevance beyond personal finance.

For SMEs and entrepreneurs, financial capability directly affects decisions relating to working capital, borrowing, credit facilities, cash flow, investment and exposure to financial fraud.

Businesses should consider financial controls and financial awareness as part of their wider operational framework, particularly where several employees have access to banking platforms, payment systems or authority to approve transactions.

The increasing sophistication of phishing, impersonation and AI-enabled fraud also makes internal verification procedures increasingly important. Businesses should ensure that payment instructions, changes to supplier banking details and unusual financial requests are independently verified before transactions are authorised.

For SMEs in particular, improved financial literacy can support better financing decisions and reduce the risk of taking on inappropriate or poorly understood financial commitments.