Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) accelerated its Emiratisation drive in 2025, with UAE nationals accounting for 49% of its total workforce by the end of the year, one of the highest ratios in the sector, according to the bank’s Integrated Annual Report 2025.
The report highlights Emirati talent development as a strategic priority embedded within ADIB’s long-term vision. ADIB said in the report: “We are dedicated to supporting the UAE’s progressive Emiratisation agenda by creating sustainable career pathways for UAE nationals and building a highly skilled workforce that can lead the future of the financial services sector.”
Emiratis now hold critical roles across the bank, with 91% of branch managers being UAE nationals and 15 Emiratis forming part of the top management team.
ADIB recruited 374 Emiratis during 2025 and promoted more than 110 national employees.
The bank also advanced its Al Ain Excellence Centre initiative, announcing plans to hire 400 UAE nationals by the end of 2026 to support the national Emiratisation agenda and the Nafis programme, and successfully appointed 230 UAE nationals in 2025 under this initiative.
To widen outreach, ADIB organised open recruitment events in Al Ain in collaboration with Majalis Abu Dhabi, conducting on-the-spot interviews and offering opportunities across retail banking, operations, digital banking and corporate functions.
ADIB also participated in several national career fairs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain, connecting with thousands of Emirati job seekers. “These events reinforced ADIB’s position as an employer of choice, offering rewarding roles in retail banking, operations, digital banking, and corporate functions,” the report said.
The bank continued to strengthen its flagship leadership accelerators — the Quiyadat and Tamkeen programmes — aimed at fast-tracking high-potential Emiratis into strategic and leadership roles through coaching, mentorship, technical training and direct exposure to senior management.
ADIB was also recognised under the UAE’s Nafis programme for its contribution to national workforce development.
Chairman Jawaan Awaidha Suhail Al Khaili said: “We made strong progress in advancing Emiratisation, leadership development, and talent acquisition, while reinforcing a workplace environment centered on wellbeing, empowerment, and inclusion. These priorities remain central to our long-term strategic vision.”
Group Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Abdelbary added: “People remain at the core of our progress. We strengthened our Emiratisation efforts, advanced leadership development programmes, and fostered a collaborative, high-performance culture built on inclusion, wellbeing, and empowerment.”
The report also underscores ADIB’s broader commitment to diversity and inclusion. By the end of 2025, women represented 44% of the bank’s total workforce, with 48% female participation at entry- and mid-level roles . Among Emirati employees, 76% are women, reflecting strong female participation within the national talent base. The bank’s workforce represents over 51 nationalities, reinforcing its multicultural and inclusive organisational ethos.
Employee engagement remained strong, with the bank recording an 88% staff engagement rate and achieving one of the highest response rates in the region for its annual employee engagement survey.
