Emiratisation gathers pace with more than 150,000 UAE nationals working in private sector

The number of Emiratis working in the private sector has surpassed 152,000, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced on Monday.

It marks an increase from 100,000 in May 2024, with UAE citizens now working across 29,000 companies in the Emirates.

The figures are from June 30, the deadline set for achieving Emiratisation targets for the first half of the year.

Business ExtraEmiratisation and the future of work in the UAE

Emirati citizens are currently employed across six main economic sectors, the ministry said. These are business services, financial intermediation, trade, repair services, construction and manufacturing.

The UAE has embarked on a major push to encourage more domestic talent to join the private sector in recent years.

The Nafis programme was introduced in September 2021 with a mission of ensuring 10 per cent of all jobs in the private sector are taken up by citizens by the end of 2026.

Companies must increase their Emirati workforce by 1 per cent every six months as part of the nationwide scheme.

Employers in the UAE with at least 50 members of staff were required to meet a 4 per cent target by the end of 2023.

As a result, the Emirati employment rate will increase to 8 per cent by the end of 2025, and 10 per cent in 2026.

Last month, private sector companies were urged to develop long-term strategies to attract and retain top domestic talent and guard against seeking to merely “fulfil a quota” to hit strict Emiratisation targets.

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Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018

Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: Health-tech

Size: 22 employees

Funding: Seed funding

Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors

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Know before you go

Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.