The United Arab Emirates is intensifying its Emiratisation initiative, aiming for 50% to 60% of jobs in the insurance sector to be held by Emiratis by 2030. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the government to increase Emirati representation in the workforce, particularly in the private sector, where expatriates currently make up nearly 90% of the population. Since its launch in 2000, Emiratisation has been a key element of national planning, focusing on integrating UAE nationals into various industries.

Historically, the UAE has relied heavily on expatriate labor, which has resulted in a significant underrepresentation of native Emiratis in the private workforce. To address this issue, the Emirati Human Resources Competitiveness Council, known as Nafis, was formed to drive Emiratisation efforts in private sectors. Nafis provides companies with incentives and support while monitoring compliance. However, the government has identified challenges such as “fake Emiratisation,” where some companies hire Emiratis just to meet quotas without giving them meaningful roles. This practice is strictly penalized.

In an important policy announcement, UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Mohamed Al Husaini, revealed the new Emiratisation goals during a Federal National Council (FNC) session. He stated that the targets vary depending on company size, and the strategy is designed to set specific goals for leadership and critical roles within insurance firms. Al Husaini’s comments came in response to an inquiry from FNC member Adnan Al Hammadi concerning the Central Bank’s role in ensuring these targets are met.

As of June 1, 2025, there are 2,159 Emiratis employed in the UAE insurance sector, which has a total workforce of 9,773, resulting in an Emiratisation rate of 22.09%. This figure shows steady progress from 13.34% in 2022 and 21.64% in 2024. The minister noted that the 2022–2026 strategy aims to increase this localisation rate to 30% by 2026, with an approximate annual growth of 3%. New requirements include hiring at least one Emirati annually in companies with 2 to 19 employees, a 30% localisation rate for companies with 20 or more employees, and ensuring that 45% of critical roles and 30% of leadership positions are filled by UAE nationals.

To support these ambitious goals and prevent fraudulent practices, the Central Bank has established a Supervision and Inspection Unit. This unit can impose fines of AED 60,000 on companies that fail to meet Emirati hiring requirements, with fines calculated as AED 20 000 for each violation.

In addition to enforcement, there is a strong focus on developing human capital. Already, 6 138 Emiratis have participated in advanced professional training programs in collaboration with international institutions. Training areas include accounting, finance, auditing, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and data science. A memorandum of understanding signed in 2023 between the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and the Emirates Institute of Finance aims to provide 100 annual scholarships in actuarial science. Currently, nine Emiratis have been selected for studies in the United States and Australia under this initiative.

Looking ahead, further educational collaborations are planned with institutions such as the Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University, and the American University in Dubai. A bachelor’s degree program in actuarial science is set to launch in September 2025, and insurance companies will sponsor tuition for 25 to 30 students each year.