Foreign issuers accounted for 40% of the 33 new fixed-income listings.
Dubai: Nasdaq Dubai has recorded 33 new fixed-income listings valued at $13.8 billion since the start of 2026, with international issuers contributing 40% of the total. The growth further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading hub for sukuk and debt capital markets.
The total outstanding value of sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai has reached $98.6 billion, further reinforcing the emirate’s position as one of the world’s leading centres for Islamic finance and debt capital markets.
The figures were announced by Hamed Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Financial Market and Nasdaq Dubai, during the inaugural session of the Government of Dubai Media Office’s International Media Briefing series.
Retail sukuk demand expands
Nasdaq Dubai also marked the listing of the UAE’s first Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme, aimed at providing retail investors with access to government-issued sukuk.
The inaugural issuance was increased from Dh50 million to Dh100 million following strong investor demand. The offering was oversubscribed nine times, receiving Dh445 million in subscription requests from 18,422 applications. The programme is now listed on Nasdaq Dubai and available for trading on the secondary market.
The strong response highlights growing investor appetite for fixed-income products in Dubai, particularly among retail investors seeking more accessible investment opportunities linked to sovereign instruments.
DFM expands market scale
Dubai Financial Market has continued its growth trajectory, with market capitalisation exceeding Dh1 trillion after recording a 191% increase since 2020.
The DFM General Index has gained 17.2% in 2025, while average daily trading value has surpassed Dh1 billion. Over the past four years, DFM has facilitated Dh47 billion in capital raised through 12 IPOs, attracting Dh1.3 trillion in investor demand and adding more than 465,000 new investors to the market.
Hamed Ali said Dubai’s market development is being driven by a long-term strategy focused on expanding access, enhancing liquidity and supporting companies seeking growth capital.
“Every initiative we pursue is guided by a long-term vision to build a deeper, more dynamic and more accessible capital market. Markets are built on confidence, and confidence is earned through transparency, innovation and consistent execution. Our role is to ensure Dubai continues to offer a platform where businesses can grow, investors can participate with confidence and capital can flow efficiently.”
Private capital push
DFM is also advancing Arena, its next-generation capital-raising platform designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and high-growth companies.
The platform is designed to enhance liquidity for private investors and connect issuers with DFM’s investor base of more than 1.2 million participants. It provides growing companies with an additional pathway to raise capital before pursuing larger funding rounds or entering public markets.
The broader strategy aims to develop a more integrated market ecosystem spanning listed equities, private capital, sukuk and fixed-income products, creating more opportunities for businesses and investors to participate in Dubai’s financial market growth.
Dubai’s market ambitions
The briefing also highlighted the role of regulatory innovation, market infrastructure and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in advancing Dubai’s financial markets.
Dubai is leveraging DFM and Nasdaq Dubai as complementary platforms, with DFM focused on expanding the equity market while Nasdaq Dubai strengthens the emirate’s position in sukuk, bonds and international listings.
