February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) is a UAE-based financial institution that holds the distinction of being the world’s first fully Sharia-compliant bank. Founded in 1975, DIB pioneered the concept of full-service Islamic banking, offering products structured in accordance with Islamic law that prohibits interest-based transactions, excessive uncertainty, and investment in proscribed industries. The bank provides retail banking, corporate finance, real estate finance, treasury services, and wealth management, all under Islamic banking principles including murabaha, ijara, wakala, and sukuk structures.

UAE Context

DIB has grown from a pioneering institution into one of the largest Islamic banks globally, with total assets exceeding USD 80 billion. The bank significantly expanded its scale through the 2020 acquisition of Noor Bank, which reinforced its position as the UAE’s largest Islamic bank. DIB is listed on the Dubai Financial Market and serves millions of customers through an extensive branch network and digital platforms. The bank has been instrumental in developing the UAE’s Islamic capital markets, acting as a lead arranger for sovereign and corporate sukuk issuances. DIB’s success demonstrated the commercial viability of Islamic banking and inspired the creation of similar institutions worldwide, helping establish the UAE as a global center for Islamic finance.

Key Data

  • Founded: 1975 (world’s first Islamic bank)
  • Total assets: Over USD 80 billion
  • Key acquisition: Noor Bank (2020)
  • Listed: Dubai Financial Market (DFM)
  • Services: Retail, corporate, real estate finance, treasury, wealth management
  • Headquarters: Dubai

Significance for Vision 2031

Dubai Islamic Bank underpins the UAE’s ambition to be the global capital of the Islamic economy. As the institution that invented modern Islamic banking, DIB’s continued growth and innovation validate the UAE’s credentials as the preeminent jurisdiction for Sharia-compliant finance. The bank’s scale enables it to support major infrastructure and development projects through Islamic financing structures, contributing to Vision 2031’s economic diversification objectives while serving a growing global Muslim population that demands ethical, faith-aligned financial products.

  • Takaful - Islamic insurance products complementing DIB’s banking services
  • Emirates NBD - Dubai’s largest conventional banking group
  • FAB - The UAE’s largest bank by total assets