National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030 Unveiled: Empowering Financial Access for All

The UAE just launched its most ambitious financial inclusion strategy yet, aiming to give every person in the country fair access to banking and financial services by 2030. The Central Bank unveiled this national roadmap during a major regional summit in Abu Dhabi, marking the UAE's push to become a global model for inclusive finance.

New Strategy Targets All Social Groups

The National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030 focuses on reaching everyone, including blue-collar workers who often get left behind by traditional banking. Here's what makes this interesting: 72% of blue-collar workers in the UAE already have salary accounts through the wage protection system, and 52% have international bank account numbers (IBANs) or can receive digital payments.

Saif Al Dhaheri from the UAE Central Bank explained that the country's approach doesn't care about your salary level or income bracket. The goal is making financial services available to all social groups, then adapting those services to meet different community needs.

The strategy includes 12 key initiatives and was developed with input from over 70 national organizations, plus support from the World Bank, OECD, and Arab Monetary Fund.

Regional Leadership Move

The UAE hosted the first-ever Middle East and North Africa Financial Inclusion Leaders Summit, bringing together central bank officials and regulators from across the region. The two-day event was held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Central Bank board chairman.

Central Bank Governor Khalid Mohamed Balama said the UAE is taking steady steps to establish itself as a global model for financial and economic innovation. The strategy aligns with the UAE Vision 2031 and UAE Centennial 2071 plans.

Focus on Digital Payments and Women

By 2030, the strategy aims to increase the percentage of people with financial accounts and boost digital payment adoption rates. Special attention goes to women's financial health and economic empowerment.

The summit also launched several new tools: a national financial health index, an AI-powered digital platform for financial literacy, and principles for Arab countries' financial inclusion developed jointly with the Arab Monetary Fund.

Global Recognition

The UAE will host Global Financial Health Week in 2026, showing how the country is becoming a regional hub for financial inclusion discussions. Officials also released results from the regional "Findex" financial inclusion indicator, which tracks progress across Arab countries and helps policymakers build more inclusive financial systems.

The summit's theme "Shaping Regional and Global Agendas" reflects the UAE's broader ambition to influence financial inclusion policies beyond its borders, particularly in digital innovation, consumer protection, and gender equality in finance.