The UAE has extended its flagship Nafis programme until 2040, signalling a long-term push to strengthen Emiratisation and expand opportunities for national talent in the private sector.The announcement was made by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The extension comes under the directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reinforcing the country’s commitment to building a sustainable national workforce.Alongside the extension, authorities introduced a series of new initiatives focused on social and workforce support. These include a programme designed to support the children of Emirati mothers working in the private sector, as well as a separate initiative aimed at supporting the wives of Emirati citizens employed in private companies.The children’s allowance under Nafis has also been expanded, removing the cap on the number of children covered. This change is expected to strengthen family stability while encouraging greater participation of Emiratis in private sector roles.The programme has already seen significant uptake. So far, 176,000 Emiratis have been employed through Nafis, with 152,000 currently working in the private sector. Women account for 74 per cent of beneficiaries, while 38,000 individuals have received support through the children’s allowance programme.Nafis has also driven strong engagement from employers, with around 32,000 companies now employing Emirati talent under the initiative, reflecting a growing shift towards private sector participation.
What is the Nafis programme?
Nafis is a federal initiative launched by the UAE to boost the competitiveness of Emirati nationals and increase their participation in the private sector. The programme aims to enable 75,000 Emiratis to take up private sector jobs by 2025.It requires companies with more than 50 employees to meet specific hiring quotas for Emiratis. To support this, Nafis offers salary subsidies, training programmes, and financial incentives, helping nationals transition into and sustain private sector employment.The extension of Nafis to 2040 reflects the UAE’s long-term strategy to reduce reliance on public sector employment and strengthen the role of citizens in the private sector.By expanding benefits such as family support and removing limits on children’s allowances, the programme also addresses key social factors that influence career choices, making private sector roles more viable for Emiratis.At a broader level, Nafis is designed to build a more balanced and sustainable labour market, where national talent plays a larger role in driving economic growth while aligning workforce development with the country’s future economic priorities.
