Dubai finance sector adds 10,000 Emirati jobs in 4 years
Dubai says more than 10,000 Emiratis joined the finance sector in 4 years, taking the total to 25,000. Here is what that could mean for finance and fintech job seekers.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
More than 10,000 Emiratis have moved into Dubai finance sector jobs in the past 4 years, taking total Emirati employment in the sector to 25,000, according to Khaleej Times and comments made by Dubai Economic Development Corporation CEO Hadi Badri on 3 November. For workers and job seekers, the update points to continued momentum in finance, fintech and AI-linked work, with a stronger push for Emiratis to move into revenue-focused and international roles.
Dubai finance sector Emirati jobs: what was announced
Speaking at Dubai FinTech Summit 2026, Badri said Dubai has no shortage of local talent. He added that Emiratis in financial services are also gaining experience from overseas talent.
The next step, he said, is to make sure Emiratis in the sector get more exposure to roles tied to revenue, as well as international exposure. That matters because these are often the positions closest to client growth, deal flow and business expansion.
The summit was organised by DIFC as the flagship event of Dubai Future Finance Week. According to the source, it brought together financial leaders, regulators, investors, banks and technology innovators to discuss AI in finance, digital assets, payments, WealthTech, sustainability and the future of financial services.
What Dubai said about AI and financial services jobs
Badri said AI will become the next major growth engine for Dubai’s economy. He also said AI-led productivity will contribute around 60 per cent of the D33 agenda.
For job seekers, that is a useful signal. Employers in finance are likely to keep paying attention to candidates who can show practical AI use, especially where it improves output, speed or decision-making inside financial services.
Badri also described Dubai as the future “bank of the region”. In his remarks, he linked that to several areas the government wants to support:
- trade finance
- more growth capital
- private equity
- venture capital
- more bank lending to SMEs
Those points do not amount to a hiring plan on their own. But they do show which parts of finance Dubai wants to see expand.
What this means for residents, employees and job seekers
For Emiratis already working in finance, the message is shifting from entry into the sector to progression inside it. The focus is now on gaining experience in roles that carry commercial responsibility and exposure beyond the local market.
For expat professionals, the comments also matter. Badri said local talent is learning from overseas talent, which suggests international experience still has a place in Dubai’s finance sector, especially in specialist or growth-focused work.
If you are choosing what to study next, it may help to focus on applied skills rather than every new buzzword. Our guide, Stop Chasing Every Skill Trend: How UAE Professionals Should Pick Courses, looks at how UAE professionals can choose training more carefully.
Students planning a route into finance or fintech may also want to think early about international work experience and study choices. This explainer, Studying Abroad From the UAE? Check Post-Study Work Rights First, covers one part of that decision.
Practical steps if you want finance or fintech work in Dubai
If you are applying for finance roles now, the source points to a few areas worth making visible on your CV and LinkedIn profile:
- Revenue impact: show where you helped win business, grow accounts or support deals.
- International exposure: highlight cross-border work, regional clients or overseas projects.
- AI in practice: include examples where you used AI to improve productivity or workflows.
- Sector fit: make it clear if your background matches trade finance, capital raising, SME banking or fintech.
If you are already in a support or operations role, this is also a good time to frame your experience in business terms, not just task terms. Employers often want to see how your work affects growth, efficiency or client outcomes.
To track live openings, you can browse finance and fintech jobs on JobXDubai. For a wider look at how AI is already being used in the UAE, see UAE AI Agents Cut Legal Case Reviews From Days to Hours.
Key takeaway
Dubai says more than 10,000 Emiratis joined the financial sector in 4 years, bringing the total to 25,000. The bigger signal for workers is that finance and AI remain high on Dubai’s agenda, while career growth in the sector is increasingly tied to revenue ownership, productivity and international exposure.
FAQ
How many Emiratis work in Dubai’s financial sector?
According to the source, 25,000 Emiratis are employed in the financial sector. More than 10,000 of those jobs were added over the past 4 years.
What did Dubai say about AI and finance jobs?
Badri said AI will be the next major growth engine for Dubai’s economy. He also said AI-driven productivity will contribute around 60 per cent of the D33 agenda.
Does this mean finance hiring is only for Emiratis?
The source does not say that. Badri said Emiratis are gaining experience from overseas talent, which suggests international professionals still play a part in the sector while the government pushes for stronger Emirati progression.
Which finance areas did Dubai highlight?
Badri pointed to trade finance, growth capital, private equity, venture capital and more lending to SMEs. The summit itself also covered AI in finance, digital assets, payments, WealthTech and sustainability.
Where was this announced?
The comments were made at Dubai FinTech Summit 2026. According to the source, the event was organised by DIFC as the flagship event of Dubai Future Finance Week.
Further reading
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