Government Program Boosts Private Sector Employment for 136K Nationals in 4 Years, Experts Recommend Extension

The UAE's Nafis program is crushing its employment targets, with 136,000 Emiratis now working in private companies since the program launched in 2021. That's nearly double the original goal of 75,000 over five years. The numbers show something big is happening in how young Emiratis think about private sector jobs.

Here's what makes these numbers impressive: Before Nafis started, only 18,000 Emiratis worked in private companies. Now that figure has jumped to 154,000 - a 755% increase in just four years. About 30,000 private companies have hired Emirati workers since the program began.

Nafis launched in September 2021 as part of the UAE's "Projects of the 50" initiative and runs until 2026. The program offers financial support and training to encourage Emiratis to join private companies instead of only seeking government jobs.

Mayed Tariq, who works in private education, says Nafis was the main reason he chose the private sector. "The program gave me a chance to work in a modern, diverse environment where I could develop new skills," he explains. He points to better flexibility in learning multiple skills like communication, time management, and working with diverse teams.

But here's the thing - workers want the program extended beyond 2026. "Without this support, many citizens might struggle to choose the private sector, especially since some companies don't offer salaries or benefits that match what Emiratis expect," Tariq notes.

Maitha Abdullah Al Marri, who's worked in tourism for two years, says the private sector was challenging at first but she learned continuously through government support programs. She now trains others and has developed strong leadership and communication skills working with different nationalities.

The shift in mindset is clear. Nora Mohammed, who works in public relations, says her view of private sector work completely changed. She faced no major challenges adapting and credits government support with helping her advance her career.

Dr. Saeed Al Tunaiji, an HR expert, says unemployment has essentially disappeared in the UAE thanks to leadership support for citizen employment across all sectors. "Nafis gave citizens two important things: financial support and skill development in the private sector, preparing them to work anywhere."

The program's collaboration with private companies directly helped attract Emiratis to these jobs. Al Tunaiji notes that young people's ideas about the private sector have changed because of the benefits and continuous government support.

HR expert Mona Waddah says recent years brought a complete shift in how citizens view private sector work. National talent now engages more in this sector with high efficiency and recognized professionalism. Many young Emiratis have achieved inspiring success stories in major private companies, often outperforming their expat colleagues.

She emphasizes that Emiratis bring high loyalty and passion for success and serving the country, which shows in their work quality and how quickly they adapt to private work environments. Employers have become more confident in national talent and understand their value in driving economic development.

Yousef Ahmed Al Hammadi, another HR expert, says Nafis created a real shift in work culture among citizens. The program successfully changed the common belief that job security only exists in government work. Now the private sector has become a real partner in national development and a preferred destination for Emirati talent.

The program offers comprehensive support including salary support, social benefits, and quality training programs that enable citizens to develop professionally. These initiatives rebalanced the two sectors and established the belief that private sector offers real growth opportunities and sustainable career paths.

Looking ahead, experts say the focus should be on strategic job localization and developing future skills for young Emiratis. Strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector will ensure graduates match market needs, continuing the leadership's approach of making citizens the center and ultimate goal of development.