Individuals in the UAE can now put money into government-backed Islamic securities for as little as AED 1,000, following the Ministry of Finance’s introduction of the country’s inaugural Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme.
The initiative gives both citizens and residents entry to Sharia-compliant instruments denominated in dirhams, broadening who can take part in government investment products. By setting the minimum participation level at AED 1,000, the Ministry aims to bring savings and investment tools within reach of a far larger pool of people.
T-Sukuk are Sharia-compliant certificates issued by a government treasury, with the “T” denoting Treasury — here, the UAE Ministry of Finance. While they function much like conventional government bonds, their structure is built to satisfy the requirements of Islamic finance.
The Ministry confirmed the programme was created together with the Central Bank of the UAE.
“The Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme reflects the Ministry of Finance’s commitment, in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), to developing innovative financial instruments that align with the aspirations of society and contribute to a more diversified, resilient, and sustainable economy,” said Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, in remarks carried by the UAE Media Office.
The rollout arrives amid a broader regional push, with governments and financial institutions rolling out fresh savings and investment offerings meant to draw more people into financial markets and foster longer-term investing habits.
The Ministry describes the offering as a transparent route into government securities markets, with the AED 1,000 starting threshold designed to let ordinary individuals hold instruments that were previously the domain of larger investors.
