UAE FinTech market likely to grow from $3.16 billion in 2024 to $5.71 billion by 2029
Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (Menat), has released 'From code to capital: The UAE's FinTech revolution' 2025 report, developed in collaboration with PwC. Recently previewed at the Dubai FinTech Summit 2025, where the Bank served as Premium Banking Partner, the report offers a data-led outlook on the UAE's evolving FinTech landscape and provides a roadmap for ecosystem stakeholders driving financial innovation.
According to the report, FinTech startups in the UAE attracted around $265 million in 2024 – approximately one-third of total startup funding in the country.
Positioned as an industry-wide outlook, the FinTech 2025 Report offers insights into key regional trends from a surge in digital adoption and venture capital investment, to the widespread integration of AI. The UAE is increasingly recognised as a hub for FinTech activity, underpinned by strong regulatory support and a maturing ecosystem.
Neeraj Makin, group head of strategy, analytics and venture capital at Emirates NBD, said: 'We are proud to launch the FinTech 2025 Report, showcasing the UAE's success as a FinTech hub, supported by Emirates NBD's innovation. The UAE's $265 million of FinTech funding in 2024 signals strong investor confidence. Bolstered by a robust venture capital network, diverse talent, and clear exit paths, the UAE is primed to attract even greater investment and cultivate future FinTech leaders.'
Miguel Rio-Tinto, group chief digital and information officer at Emirates NBD, said: 'Emirates NBD is proud to help drive the FinTech revolution in the region through strategic partnerships, in-house innovation and venture investments. With this report, we demonstrate how established banks can leverage FinTech for growth, efficiency and superior customer experiences. As the industry continues to evolve, we remain committed to building an open, collaborative ecosystem that delivers long-term value to our customers and the wider financial sector.'
Stephen Anderson, Strategy Leader at PwC Middle East, said: 'This report illuminates the dynamic FinTech landscape within Dubai. We see a region transformed by innovation, driven by technology and visionary strategies. Our commitment is to empower clients, partners, and communities to thrive in this smarter, connected financial future and the UAE is at the forefront of this revolution.'
The report also highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in reshaping every layer of financial services from personalisation to compliance and risk modeling. Emirates NBD's evolution from pre-AI to post-AI operations has led to measurable improvements in efficiency, control, and scale.
As FinTech continues to scale, the report encourages proactive collaboration between banks and startups by embracing open APIs, regulatory sandboxes, and co-branded innovation models, critical to sustaining industry momentum and deepening customer impact.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai Airport's new AI corridor allows passengers to clear immigration without stops: Alkhaleej
Dubai Airport (DXB) is now home to an AI-powered corridor, allowing multiple travellers to pass through immigration controls within seconds. The new service allows up to 10 people to pass through at the same time, without having to stop or present identification documents, according to local newspaper Alkhaleej. The airport systems now recognise passenger data even before they arrive at border crossings, said Lieutenant General Mohamed Ahmed Al Marri, Director-General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai. The new AI-powered corridor also speeds up process es and doubles the capacity of airports, as multiple passengers can be processed at once. In addition, AI also helps in detecting violations as it refers any suspicious passport directly to forgery experts, Al Marri added. The new service is the first of its kind worldwide and comes as part of an integrated system that puts the experience of "boundless travel" within travelers' reach, Al Marri stated. DXB maintained its position as the world's busiest airport in terms of international passenger traffic for 2024, according to a report by Airports Council International (ACI) World. Travellers' impressions Many passengers who walked through the corridor expressed their admiration for the quick clearing service. 'I travelled with my family and the experience was smooth and exceptional. The procedures have become much faster thanks to this corridor, as travel can now be completed in record time without the need to stop at passport control counters,' said Mohammed Amer from Syria. Another traveller called Mahmoud Balou from Canada praised Dubai's efforts to adopt the latest technologies that help cut waiting time and prevent congestion, making the travel experience more enjoyable and seamless, according to the Alkhaleej report.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Bidders swoop for prized falcons at Abu Dhabi auction
Falcon merchants and breeders attended auctions this weekend in Abu Dhabi, where birds of prey changed hands for tens of thousands of dirhams. Dozens of falcons have been on sale at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, before the 20th Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition begins on August 30. Four of this year's eight auctions take place before the nine-day main event, which runs until September 7, with more than 1,000 falcons being assessed. One of the first to buy a bird on Sunday night was Mubarak Al Amri, from Abu Dhabi, who collects falcons to use for hunting. He bought two falcons at the auction – bidding Dh22,000 ($5,990) and Dh38,000, respectively. 'The auction is an easy way to own the best falcons. It attracts many merchants and collectors,' he said. 'Falconry is not a new practice or sport. There is a great connection between humans and these birds. In the past, life was harsh, birds were used for hunting to provide food to people. Pedigree birds of prey decorate the country's logos. It is sign of pride.' Hunting for deals Saif Al Meqbaly, 48, from Abu Dhabi, was also among those looking for a prized bird of prey. He already owns three birds and uses them for hunting and in competitions. 'I have been in love with falcons for the past 32 years,' he said. 'The auction is a gateway to meet and get to know other enthusiasts in the UAE and around the globe. 'Collecting falcons is a hobby of our fathers and ancestors. We have a strong bond with these birds. Falcons are part of our heritage and tradition.' The second round of the auction takes place from August 23 to 24. The remaining events will be held on August 30 and 31, with the final auctions scheduled for September 6 and 7. For 4,000 years, Bedouin in the UAE and the wider Arabian Peninsula have practised falconry as a form of hunting. It remains a popular sport and pastime and is a key feature of the UAE's identity. In 2023, a prized falcon fetched Dh600,000 at an auction held during the exhibition. A year earlier, a bidder spent Dh1.01 million for a Pure Gyr American ultra-white falcon. In addition to in-person falcon auctions, a secure online platform will be launched on the opening day of the exhibition. The move aims to boost participation from local and international bidders. The exhibition is to feature events displaying falconry, hunting, equestrian sports and fishing, as well as promoting environmental preservation and the UAE's culture.
Al Etihad
5 hours ago
- Al Etihad
UAE Chambers explores investment opportunities with Mali
17 Aug 2025 19:02 SHARJAH (WAM)The Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry highlighted investment opportunities in the Republic of Mali during the UAE-Mali Business Forum, hosted by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), in collaboration with UAE Chambers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).Vice Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of SCCI, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, extended a warm welcome to the Malian trade delegation visiting the UAE from August 13 to praised the growing bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and emphasised that the investment opportunities on offer present strong appeal for Emirati investors, especially within the framework of the UAE's economic diversification Owais affirmed the commitment of the UAE Chambers, and specifically the Sharjah Chamber, to actively promote these opportunities among their business communities to encourage investment in Mali, pointing out that they cover a wide range of emphasised the UAE business community's growing interest in exploring Mali's investment environment, underlining the UAE Chambers' commitment to strengthening cooperation with their Malian counterparts in the coming pointed out plans to sign a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a joint business council that will serve as a structured platform for direct engagement between private sector representatives from both sides. The council will focus on strategic sectors such as agriculture, food security, infrastructure, energy, and Owais voiced his optimism that the UAE-Mali Business Forum would serve as a catalyst for expanded trade and investment cooperation between the UAE and Malian delegation, headed by Madiou Simpara, President of the Mali Chamber of Commerce and Industry, presented a portfolio of investment opportunities to the UAE proposed projects span key sectors such as renewable energy, artesian wells, and infrastructure development, and include the establishment of both a large-scale commercial complex and a sports complex. Additional opportunities covered manufacturing, urban development, and land transport sectors, in addition to the construction of a state-of-the-art international Simpara invited the UAE business sector's representatives to visit Mali and assess first-hand the viable investment opportunities of mutual economic value. He noted that the Chamber of Mali seeks to foster stronger collaboration with the UAE chambers across multiple sectors, with the objective of advancing commercial cooperation and reinforcing bilateral trade ties.
