The UAE has launched its National Financial Literacy Strategy 2027–2031, a five-year roadmap announced by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) during the MENA Leaders’ Summit on Financial Health in Abu Dhabi. The strategy targets individuals at different stages of life and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), with a focus on helping them make informed, responsible and safer financial decisions.
- Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Organisation: Central Bank of the UAE
- Strategy period: 2027–2031
- Who is affected: Individuals and MSMEs in the UAE
- Key areas: Savings, responsible borrowing, financial resilience and informed financial decisions
- Related risks: Fraud, AI-enabled scams and over-indebtedness are part of the wider financial-health agenda
- What’s next: Financial Health Innovation Challenge applications remain open until November 30, 2026
What is the UAE National Financial Literacy Strategy 2027–2031?
The UAE National Financial Literacy Strategy 2027–2031 is a five-year national roadmap designed to improve financial knowledge and decision-making among individuals and MSMEs. The Central Bank of the UAE announced the strategy at the MENA Leaders’ Summit on Financial Health in Abu Dhabi on September 30, 2026.
The CBUAE said the strategy will equip people with the knowledge and skills needed to use financial services confidently, responsibly and safely.
It forms part of the UAE’s broader shift towards measuring financial inclusion through people’s actual financial wellbeing, rather than only looking at access to bank accounts and financial services.
Who will benefit from the UAE financial literacy strategy?
The strategy covers individuals at every stage of life and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
For individuals, the CBUAE has identified areas such as the ability to manage financial shocks, build long-term savings, borrow responsibly and make informed financial decisions as important parts of financial health.
For MSMEs, stronger financial knowledge can support more informed decisions when using financial products and services.
The CBUAE has not yet disclosed a detailed list of all consumer programmes, educational campaigns or measurable targets that will operate under the 2027–2031 strategy.
What financial issues will the UAE strategy focus on?
The strategy is centred on improving financial capability and resilience.
According to the CBUAE, financial health includes a person’s ability to withstand unexpected financial shocks, save for the future, borrow responsibly and demonstrate informed financial behaviour.
The wider financial-health agenda also looks at how consumer protection, regulatory frameworks and digital public infrastructure can affect people’s financial outcomes.
This means the strategy is not simply about teaching people how to save money. It is part of a broader effort to help consumers and businesses make better-informed decisions when interacting with the financial system.
Will the UAE financial literacy strategy address scams and AI-enabled fraud?
Fraud, AI-enabled scams and over-indebtedness are being examined as emerging threats to financial wellbeing, but the CBUAE has not announced specific new scam penalties or rules under the National Financial Literacy Strategy.
These risks are part of discussions taking place during the MENA Leaders’ Summit on Financial Health.
The summit’s programme includes discussions on behavioural science, gamified financial education, fraud and AI-enabled scams. The focus reflects the changing risks consumers face as financial services become increasingly digital.
The CBUAE and World Bank Group also expanded their cooperation in June 2026 to cover financial inclusion, financial literacy, consumer protection and financial dispute resolution. Their cooperation includes work related to digital fraud prevention.
How does this strategy connect with UAE financial inclusion plans?
The National Financial Literacy Strategy builds on the UAE’s wider National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026–2030, which was launched by the CBUAE in November 2025.
The financial inclusion strategy includes financial capability, responsible use of financial services, digital financial services, regulation, and data and monitoring among its key areas.
The CBUAE had also been developing the financial literacy strategy before its formal launch. Its 2025 annual report said the work included diagnostics to identify financial capability gaps, alongside international cooperation and support from the World Bank.
This provides the background for the new five-year roadmap starting in 2027.
What is the Financial Health Innovation Challenge?
The Financial Health Innovation Challenge is a separate initiative being launched alongside the UAE’s wider financial-health agenda.
The CBUAE describes it as a global call for practical solutions that could improve the financial health of individuals and MSMEs in the UAE.
Selected solutions will be tested in collaboration with licensed financial institutions in the country. Successful applicants will receive support, grants and partnerships intended to help turn their ideas into practical solutions.
Applications are open until November 30, 2026.
The CBUAE has not disclosed the total value of the grants or the number of solutions that will be selected.
Why It Matters
The new strategy matters because financial literacy affects how people manage everyday financial decisions, including saving, borrowing and dealing with unexpected expenses.
For UAE residents, the strategy is expected to place greater emphasis on practical financial knowledge and responsible use of financial services.
For MSMEs, the initiative brings financial capability into the UAE’s wider financial-health agenda.
The timing is also significant as financial services become increasingly digital. The CBUAE is examining new risks, including AI-enabled scams and fraud, while working with international organisations on financial inclusion, consumer protection and digital financial services.
The exact programmes and implementation measures under the 2027–2031 strategy have not yet been fully disclosed. More details will be needed to determine how the roadmap will translate into specific initiatives for residents and businesses.
FAQs
When does the UAE National Financial Literacy Strategy start?
The strategy covers the 2027–2031 period. It was announced by the Central Bank of the UAE during the MENA Leaders’ Summit on Financial Health in Abu Dhabi on September 30, 2026.
Who is covered by the UAE financial literacy strategy?
The strategy covers individuals at every stage of life and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the UAE.
What are the main goals of the UAE financial literacy strategy?
The CBUAE’s financial-health agenda focuses on building long-term savings, responsible borrowing, resilience against financial shocks and informed financial decision-making.
Does the strategy introduce new rules for financial scams?
No specific new penalties or scam regulations have been announced as part of the strategy. However, fraud and AI-enabled scams are among the emerging financial risks being examined by the CBUAE as part of the wider financial-health agenda.
What is the deadline for the Financial Health Innovation Challenge?
Applications for the Financial Health Innovation Challenge are open until November 30, 2026. Selected solutions may be tested with licensed financial institutions and receive grants, support and partnerships.
Conclusion
The UAE’s National Financial Literacy Strategy 2027–2031 expands the country’s financial inclusion agenda by putting greater emphasis on financial knowledge, responsible borrowing, savings and resilience. The CBUAE has confirmed the strategy’s broad direction, while detailed programmes and implementation measures have yet to be fully disclosed.
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