Soaring Expectations: "Nafes" Set to Exceed Targets by 170% Imminently

The UAE's "Nafes" program has exceeded expectations by a massive margin, with Emirati private sector employment jumping 437% in just four years. The program, designed to boost national talent in private companies, is now hitting 170% of its targets—results that weren't expected until 2026.

Ghanem Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the UAE Competitiveness Council, revealed striking numbers during the second annual Nafes Forum. Emirati citizens working in private and banking sectors surged from 29,000 to over 157,000 people in four years. That's not just growth—it's a complete shift in how Emiratis view private sector careers.

Here's what makes this interesting: young graduates are now choosing private companies over government jobs. The appeal of private sector work among graduates shot up from 15% to 58%. This marks a major cultural change in a region where government positions traditionally dominated career preferences.

The program has already achieved 92% of its goals, hitting benchmarks planned for 2026 two years early. Al Mazrouei credits strong leadership support and genuine buy-in from both government and private sectors for this rapid progress.

But the focus is shifting. By 2026, the program will target specialized, high-skill positions rather than just increasing overall numbers. The goal is getting Emiratis into leadership roles and keeping them there. Companies are being pushed to improve retention practices and create work environments that make national talent want to stay.

The council is also working on changing social attitudes toward private sector work, starting early. They're running pilot programs in grades 6, 7, and 8 to shift perceptions among students and parents. Early results show families are becoming more open to private sector careers for their children.

The annual forum serves as a checkpoint with government agencies and private companies to review progress and set future direction. Direct workshops with young Emiratis working in private companies help identify real challenges and practical solutions. Some youth-proposed initiatives are already being studied for implementation.

The program launched its fourth "Nafes Award" for 2025-2026, recognizing companies and individuals excelling at developing and retaining Emirati talent. This creates incentives for businesses to invest in national workforce development.

For the UAE economy, these numbers represent more than just employment statistics. Getting citizens into private sector roles reduces government payroll pressure while building a more diverse, skilled workforce. It also aligns with broader economic diversification goals as the country reduces oil dependence.