DUBAI: UAE citizens and residents will be able to invest from AED 1,000 in a new five-year Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk, as the Ministry of Finance expands its retail investment programme following strong demand for its first offering.
The second issuance gives individual investors access to a Sharia-compliant, UAE government-backed investment instrument that was previously more commonly associated with institutional investors. The Ministry said the profit rate for the new five-year issuance will be announced on September 22, 2026.
Subscriptions can be made through the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) eIPO platform, the iVestor app, the DFM app and participating banks’ digital channels. Following allocation and settlement, the sukuk are expected to be listed on Nasdaq Dubai and become available for secondary-market trading.
Five-year investment with AED 1,000 minimum
The new retail T-Sukuk forms part of the UAE’s Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme, which was introduced in 2026 to broaden individual participation in government securities.
The Ministry of Finance describes T-Sukuk as Sharia-compliant financial instruments issued in UAE dirhams. Investors receive periodic profit distributions, while the face value is repaid when the instrument reaches maturity, subject to its terms.
The Ministry’s current retail T-Sukuk framework sets the minimum investment for new issuances at AED 1,000, with profit distributions made semi-annually. New retail issues are priced at par and can be traded after listing, subject to applicable market conditions and terms.
For the latest issuance, the UAE’s 2026 issuance calendar shows a AED 50 million retail T-Sukuk tranche with a maturity in September 2031, consistent with the five-year tenor announced for the new offering.
First issuance attracted AED 445 million in orders
The second offering follows substantial demand for the inaugural retail T-Sukuk earlier in 2026.
The first issuance initially targeted AED 50 million but received AED 445 million in subscription orders. The Ministry subsequently increased the issuance size to AED 100 million.
The first issue had a two-year tenor and a 4.30% annual profit rate, with payments made every six months. It was listed on Nasdaq Dubai and began secondary-market trading on July 2, 2026.
The demand also showed that the programme was attracting relatively small investors. About 76% of the demand for the inaugural offering was for investments of AED 10,000 or less, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Which banks are participating?
Emirates NBD is the lead receiving bank for the second issuance.
The participating receiving banks are:
- Emirates NBD
- Emirates Islamic
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB)
- Ajman Bank
- Mashreq
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB)
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB)
Investors can also use the DFM eIPO platform, iVestor app and DFM app, according to the Ministry.
What is a retail T-Sukuk?
A retail T-Sukuk allows individual investors to participate directly in UAE Treasury Sukuk issued by the federal government.
Unlike conventional interest-bearing bonds, T-Sukuk are structured according to Islamic finance principles. The Ministry of Finance says UAE T-Sukuk are issued in dirhams under Sharia-compliant structures and provide periodic profit payments to investors.
The investment should not be confused with a conventional bank deposit. Investors should review the specific issuance terms, including the profit rate, maturity, trading arrangements and applicable fees, before subscribing.
The Ministry’s retail T-Sukuk framework also notes that secondary-market liquidity and pricing are subject to market conditions.
For UAE residents interested in the new five-year issue, the immediate detail to watch is the September 22 profit-rate announcement. The rate will determine the return offered by this particular issuance.
What is the minimum investment for the new UAE retail T-Sukuk?
The minimum investment is AED 1,000 for the new retail T-Sukuk issuance.
Who can invest in UAE retail T-Sukuk?
The Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme is available to UAE citizens and residents.
How long is the new T-Sukuk?
The new issuance has a five-year tenor, with the 2026 issuance calendar showing maturity in September 2031.
When will the profit rate be announced?
The Ministry of Finance has said the profit rate for the new five-year issuance will be announced on September 22, 2026.
Where can investors subscribe?
Investors can subscribe through DFM’s eIPO platform, the iVestor app, the DFM app and participating banks’ digital channels.
Will the new T-Sukuk be tradable?
Following allocation and settlement, the sukuk will be listed on Nasdaq Dubai and made available for secondary-market trading, subject to applicable market conditions.
How did the first UAE retail T-Sukuk perform?
The inaugural offering attracted AED 445 million in orders against an initial AED 50 million target, prompting the Ministry to increase the issuance size to AED 100 million.
How often are retail T-Sukuk profits distributed?
The Ministry’s retail T-Sukuk framework specifies semi-annual profit distributions, although the exact terms apply according to each issuance.
