meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

UAE banks dig in for new era

11 April 2025

 

Gulf decision makers, like their counterparts elsewhere in the world, are gauging the potential impact of the world’s new tariff regime.

Amid the global economic turmoil emanating from Washington DC, UAE banks have reason to be confident about their prospects of withstanding the negative effects, after a strong 2024 that saw double-digit credit growth and solid profits across the board.

Full-year loan growth stood at 11% in 2024, notes ratings agency Fitch Ratings, while UAE banks’ profits reached a record-high level, with a 19.1% return on average equity.

Surprising success

Loan growth surprised on the upside, reflecting stronger activity from government-related entities (GREs), which has provided good business for Emirati banks. For example, majority government-owned Emirates NBD had almost one-quarter of its loan book exposed to the Dubai government and its GREs. 

The broader outlook is positive for UAE banks in 2025. Amid healthy operating conditions and robust liquidity, lending growth should remain close to double figures this year.

The combined net income of Fitch-rated banks was AED80bn ($19.8bn) in 2024, up from AED76bn ($18.8bn) in 2023. This rise was driven by a 10% expansion of the banks’ pre-impairment operating profit, contained loan impairment charges – due to the favourable operating environment – and strong coverage of already crystallised problem loans at most banks, said Fitch Ratings.

The UAE’s largest bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), reported a 13% year-on-year increase in pre-tax profits to AED19bn ($4.7bn), supported by revenue growth of 15%. 

“UAE banks are at the top of the cycle,” says Anton Lopatin, UAE bank analyst at Fitch Ratings. “At Fitch, we’ve upgraded a lot of standalone ratings for banks in the last 24 months. Together with other factors that reflected that in the last two years we have seen some the highest profits ever in the UAE, because of the strong liquidity and the healthy economic environment.”

Although profitability is expected to decrease marginally in 2025, UAE banks will continue to benefit from solid internal capital generation and high shareholder support, according to S&P Global, another ratings agency.

Taxes, rates and regulations

UAE banks, like other companies active in the country, have also had to cope with the introduction of corporate tax, imposed in mid-2003 at an average 9% rate. Even so, UAE banks realised a high return on equity in 2024, despite it being the first full year in which banks paid corporate tax. 

UAE banks have benefited from the higher-for-longer interest rates, an avenue of earnings that is gradually closing off in light of the US Federal Reserve’s protracted series of rate cuts. Nonetheless, analysts see the impact remaining supportive through 2025.

“The market consensus is that in 2025, there will be a maximum of two cuts in interest rates. That would mean banks would likely report another return on average equity close to 20% again, in line with what we saw last year,” says Lopatin.

Another source of support is the new credit risk management standards introduced by the UAE Central Bank in November, which are likely to strengthen banks’ long-term creditworthiness.

“From a ratings agency perspective, this is positive, as … target banks have to become more prudent in terms of how they classify loans, and how they book provisions against new impairment cases. This means they should be more conservative than they used to be,” says Lopatin.

The standards are aimed at improving the transparency of the banks’ asset quality and ensure stronger provision coverage for problem loans. Consequently, capital and profitability metrics should face less pressure in times of stress, notes Fitch.

“The Central Bank of the UAE targets the sector average impaired loan ratio to be less than 5% in the long-term. The current average is 4%, but we are in the positive part of the cycle,” says Lopatin.

Some banks may report higher Stage 2 or Stage 3 loans ratios due to the new standards, but Fitch maintains its forecast sector-average impaired loans ratio at 4% for 2025 because the impact on most large and medium-sized banks is likely to be limited, and robust growth should continue to dilute increases in Stage 3 loan ratios.

Pressure has been exerted on banks to offload some of their bad loans, most notably in Abu Dhabi.

The process got rolling in 2023, when Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) offloaded a $1.1bn loan portfolio to US investment fund Davidson Kempner, as part of a move to rid its balance sheet of corporate defaults. The lender is now looking to package off more non-performing loans by the end of 2025 and is reported to be in the early stages of studying such a deal.

In January, FAB also announced its intention to offload some impaired loans and is reportedly looking to sell its portfolio of non-performing loans worth about $800m to Deutsche Bank. This process mirrors what is happening in Saudi Arabia, where the authorities want banks to securitise some of the impaired loans.

Opportunities abroad

While the domestic economic upturn and the servicing of GREs’ credit needs will underpin future Emirati bank growth, lenders also continue to look out for new opportunities beyond the GCC home market.

Turkiye is one of the more promising prospects for UAE banks to grow their footprints. Although an attempt last year by FAB to acquire a stake in the country’s fourth-largest private bank, Yapi Kredi, did not go through, in January Dubai Islamic Bank announced an increase in its shareholding in Turkish financial services provider TOM Group from 20% to 25%.

Meanwhile, Emirates NBD and FAB acted as coordinators and bookrunners on a $1.2bn loan for Turkiye Wealth Fund in March of this year. The sovereign fund raised a two-year syndicated loan from 20 banks.

Overseas expansion, mixed with continued domestic credit growth opportunities, should help UAE lenders maintain their recent performances – whatever global headwinds result from US President Donald Trump’s new era of trade barriers.

MEED’s May 2025 report on the UAE includes:

> GOVERNMENT & ECONOMY: UAE looks to economic longevity
> BANKING: UAE banks dig in for new era
> UPSTREAM: Adnoc in cruise control with oil and gas targets
> DOWNSTREAM: Abu Dhabi chemicals sector sees relentless growth
> POWER: AI accelerates UAE power generation projects sector
> CONSTRUCTION: Dubai construction continues to lead region
> TRANSPORT: UAE accelerates its $60bn transport push
 

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13640614/main.jpg
James Gavin

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Read the May 2026 MEED Business Review

    30 April 2026

    Download / Subscribe / 14-day trial access

    The regional war – and resulting disruption to oil and gas shipping – has triggered a major global energy security shock that is likely to recalibrate long-term decisions on how energy is produced and consumed.

    The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz is exposing the vulnerability of Middle East supply chains and pushing import-dependent countries to strengthen energy security by expanding domestic fossil fuels, speeding up nuclear projects, and investing in renewables and storage.

    At the same time, higher prices are encouraging producers unencumbered by reliance on the Strait to boost output.

    Like the oil shocks of the 1970s, the conflict is likely to have lasting effects, reshaping energy policies and partnerships and accelerating diversification away from existing arrangements. Read more here. 

    The conflict is also undermining the business case for Middle East liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, as prices rise, demand drops and confidence in the reliability of the region’s suppliers is eroded. 

    May’s market focus is on the UAE, where disruption from the Iran war has challenged every assumption behind the country’s non-oil model.

    This edition also includes our industry report on Gulf capital markets, as well as analysis on the region’s initial public offering market.

    In the latest issue, we explore why regional banks are feeling the strain despite strong buffers; consider why force majeure offers no shield against construction breaches; examine the Public Investment Fund’s 2026-30 strategy and talk to Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of water infrastructure operator Veolia.   

    We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the May 2026 issue of MEED Business Review. 

     

    Must-read sections in the May 2026 issue of MEED Business Review include:

    > AGENDA: War in the Middle East recalibrates global energy markets

    > REGIONAL LNG: War undermines business case for Middle East LNG

    INDUSTRY REPORT:
    Gulf capital markets
    > Damage avoidance frames debt issuance
    > Regional IPO market dries up amid war

    > INTERVIEW: Desalination holds steady amid tensions, says Veolia CEO

    > LEGAL: Force majeure will not cure pre-existing construction industry breaches  

    > BANKS: GCC banks to feel the strain despite strong buffers

    > PIF STRATEGY: Public Investment Fund approves 2026-30 strategy

    > UAE MARKET FOCUS: 
    > COMMENT: Conflict tests UAE diversification
    > GVT &: ECONOMY: UAE economy absorbs multi-sector shock
    > BANKING: UAE banks ready to weather the storm
    > ATTACKS: UAE counts energy infrastructure costs
    > UPSTREAM: Adnoc builds long-term oil and gas production potential
    > DOWNSTREAM: Adnoc Gas to rally UAE downstream project spending
    > POWER: Large-scale IPPs drive UAE power market
    > WATER: UAE water investment broadens beyond desalination
    > CONSTRUCTION: War casts shadow over UAE construction boom
    > TRANSPORT: UAE rail momentum grows as trade routes face strain
    > DATABANK: UAE GDP projection corrects on conflict

    > MEED COMMENTS: 
    >     War takes a rising toll on Kuwait’s oil sector
    > Libya budget approval could lead to surge in oil and gas projects
    > Masdar’s move abroad will not be the last
    > Saudi Landbridge finds its moment in Gulf turmoil

    > GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf index plateaus despite ceasefire

    > MARCH 2026 CONTRACTS: Middle East contract awards

    > ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projects

    > OPINION: The road to hell is paved with gold

    > BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16623768/main.gif
    MEED Editorial
  • Algeria extends bid deadline for stalled power plant

    30 April 2026

    Algeria’s state-owned electricity and gas utility Sonelgaz has extended a deadline for contractors to submit expressions of interest for the construction of the 1.2GW Djelfa combined-cycle power plant.

    The project is being procured through Sonelgaz’s power generation subsidiary, Societe Algerienne de l’Electricite et du Gaz – Production de l’Electricite (SPE).

    In March, MEED reported that the utility was seeking contractors to complete works at the existing Djelfa plant, including the remaining construction, the supply of missing equipment and the assessment of installed equipment.

    The original bid submission deadline for prequalification was 7 April. The new deadline is 5 May.

    The tender is open to both local and international companies, and will be conducted in three phases: prequalification, preliminary technical assessment, and final technical and financial submission.

    The retender follows earlier plans to complete the project through a Chinese consortium comprising China Energy Engineering Group Company, Northwest Electric Power Design Institute and Anhui Electric Power Construction Company.

    This proposal was made after Spanish contractor Duro Felguera halted work on the project in June 2024. 

    According to MEED Projects, construction works had progressed to 72% at the time of the suspension.

    It is understood that an agreement in principle was then reached to transfer the remaining works to the Chinese group after the Spanish firm entered a pre-bankruptcy phase in December 2024.

    A company statement at the time said: “The Chinese group is committed to completing the plant construction, with commissioning scheduled to start in the ninth month following the final agreement.”

    However, in October 2025, it was revealed that the attempt to transfer the project to a consortium of Chinese companies had failed, leaving the Spanish firm with an official demand to pay €413m in compensation to Sonelgaz.

    This was revealed via a lengthy report containing a restructuring plan sent by Duro Felguera to creditors in Spain and the Madrid Financial Markets Authority.

    Gas-fired power plants

    Located in Djelfa province, the project remains a key part of Algeria’s power generation expansion plans.

    Sonelgaz has been seeking contractors to build a separate 1.2GW combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Aldrar since last April.

    The most recent deadline extension was 29 April.

    According to recent reports, Algeria has also begun construction of a power generation plant in El-Aouinet, with a total installed capacity of 1,406MW.

    The combined-cycle gas turbine plant is being developed in partnership with China National Electric Engineering Company.

    Gas-fired combined-cycle plants continue to account for the majority of Algeria’s electricity generation capacity. Data from MEED Projects indicates that more than 5,000MW of oil- and gas-fired power capacity is currently in the execution phase.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16623787/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Dewa announces new record for power reliability

    30 April 2026

    Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has announced that it set a new world record for the lowest electricity customer minutes lost (CML), at 0.82 minutes a year in 2025.

    The figure is equivalent to about 49 seconds of annual outage per customer. It improves on the utility’s previous record of 0.94 minutes in 2024, a reduction of around 13%.

    Dewa said it has reduced CML in Dubai from 6.88 minutes a year in 2012 to 0.82 minutes in 2025, significantly lower than the average of about 15 minutes recorded by leading electricity utilities in the European Union.

    The smart grid is a central component of Dewa’s strategy to improve reliability and efficiency. The programme is being implemented with total investments of AED7bn up to 2035.

    One of the key initiatives of the programme is the Automatic Smart Grid Restoration System, which enables remote, round-the-clock control and monitoring.

    Dewa currently has tenders out for several power and water infrastructure projects in the emirate. These include at least four Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) water transmission pipeline projects.

    According to regional projects tracker MEED Projects, Dewa awarded $1.1bn-worth of new power and water contracts in 2025. Contract awards had previously reached $2.6bn in 2024, and $4bn in 2024.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16623721/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Riyadh tenders PMC deal for major sports arena

    30 April 2026

     

    Saudi Arabia’s Sports Boulevard Foundation has tendered a contract inviting firms to bid for project management consultancy (PMC) services for the Global Sports Tower in the Athletics District of the Sports Boulevard development in Riyadh.

    The tender was issued on 8 April, with a bid submission deadline of 10 May.

    The 130-metre-tall Global Sports Tower will cover an area of 84,000 square metres and will include more than 30 sports facilities. The tower will feature the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall at 98 metres and a 250-metre running track.

    Earlier this week, MEED reported that the Sports Boulevard Foundation is preparing to award the main construction contract for the Global Sports Tower. MEED understands that bid evaluation has reached an advanced stage and the contract is likely to be awarded by the end of May.

    MEED reported in May last year that design work on the tower had been completed. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud approved the designs in 2024.

    The Sports Boulevard development runs across Riyadh from east to west and, once complete, is set to be the world’s longest park spanning more than 135 kilometres.

    The development will be spread across several districts, including Wadi Hanifah, Arts, Urban Wadi, Entertainment, Athletics and Eco, as well as Sands Sports Park.

    The large-scale project aims to transform central Riyadh – currently dominated by major highways – into a recreational corridor.

    Sports Boulevard, which will feature 4.4 million sq m of public realm and landmark buildings, will also be home to the Centre for Cinematic Arts and a 2,000-seat amphitheatre.

    The development will provide more than 2.3 million sq m of mixed-use commercial, residential, and retail assets, along with sports facilities around the park, known as Linear Park.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16622287/main.jpeg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Contractors submit Saudi Arabia phosphate rail track bids

    30 April 2026

     

    Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) received bids from contractors on 27 April for a multibillion-riyal tender to double the tracks on the existing phosphate transport railway network connecting the Waad Al-Shamal mines to Ras Al-Khair in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.

    The tender – covering the second section of the track-doubling works and spanning more than 150 kilometres (km) – was issued on 9 February.

    This follows SAR receiving bids on 1 February for the project’s first phase, which spans about 100km from the AZ1/Nariyah Yard to Ras Al-Khair.

    The scope includes track doubling, alignment modifications, new utility bridges, culvert widening and hydrological structures, as well as the conversion of the AZ1 siding into a mainline track. It also includes support for signalling and telecommunications systems.

    The tender notice was issued in late November.

    Switzerland-based engineering firm ARX is the project consultant.

    MEED understands that these two packages are the first of four that SAR is expected to tender for the phosphate railway line. Other packages anticipated to be tendered shortly include the depot and systems packages.

    In 2023, MEED reported that SAR was planning two projects to increase its freight capacity, including an estimated SR4.2bn ($1.1bn) project to install a second track along the North Train Freight Line and construct three new freight yards.

    Formerly known as the North-South Railway, the North Train is a 1,550km-long freight line running from the phosphate and bauxite mines in the far north of the kingdom to the Al-Baithah junction. There, it diverges into a line southward to Riyadh and a second line running east to downstream fertiliser production and alumina refining facilities at Ras Al-Khair on the Gulf coast.

    Adding a second track and the freight yards will significantly increase the network’s cargo-carrying capacity and facilitate increased industrial production. Project implementation is expected to take four years.

    State-owned SAR is also considering increasing the localisation of railway materials and equipment, including the construction of a cement sleeper manufacturing facility.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16622526/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal