Emirates NBD, a leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye and South Asia (MENATSA) region, has announced a strategic partnership with Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) to drive FinTech and AI innovation and enhance customer experience. Both partners will collaboratively source, identify, pilot and adopt innovative technology-driven solutions impacting the efficiency, quality, effectiveness and continuous improvement of financial services for the benefit of Dubai citizens and residents.
DFDF is Dubai’s AED 1 billion evergreen venture capital fund of funds, strategically anchored by both the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Dubai Future Foundation. Its core mission is to actively fund and foster the growth of pioneering startups that are shaping the future of finance and broader future economy sectors.
Over the past decade, FinTech has evolved from a niche disruptor to a cornerstone of global finance with market value in the UAE projected to nearly double from USD 3.16 billion in 2024 to USD 5.71 billion by 2029. The partnership will enable Emirates NBD to access a curated pipeline of enterprise-grade FinTech and AI solutions, foster strategic partnerships with DFDF’s portfolio companies and facilitate structured pilots and potential commercial deployments directly aligned with the bank’s strategic business priorities. This initiative is a significant step in solidifying Emirates NBD’s leading role in using innovation to improve customer experience, strengthen risk management and enhance operational efficiency.
Emirates NBD will primarily focus on areas that align with its broader digital transformation agenda including AI-driven banking capabilities, embedded finance, digital assets, SME solutions, WealthTech, compliance technologies and next-generation banking infrastructure. The partnership with DFDF will help strengthen the bank’s access to high-growth startups building scalable solutions across these strategic domains.
Marwan Hadi, Group Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD, said: “Emirates NBD is delighted to be part of this innovative partnership with another national entity focused on transforming Dubai into a nexus for business and an integrated environment for investment. By partnering with DFDF, we anticipate delivering more personalised and intelligent banking experiences, faster deployment of digital banking capabilities, improved fraud detection and financial security, enhanced SME and business banking solutions and seamless onboarding services.”
He added: “Emirates NBD’s association also reinforces the bank’s long-term commitment to national talent development and advancing the UAE’s innovation agenda through the National Digital Talent Incubator (NDTI).”
Nader Albastaki, Managing Director at DFDF, said: “We are excited to partner with Emirates NBD, a progressive leader in the financial sector. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision for a future where innovation drives progress and enhances the daily lives of individuals and businesses. It provides our high-potential startups with an unparalleled opportunity to explore pilot opportunities, strategic partnerships and commercial deployment within Emirates NBD’s extensive ecosystem, ultimately contributing to Dubai’s ambition of becoming a global hub for digital finance and entrepreneurship.”
Emirates NBD’s flagship initiative, the NDTI was launched to accelerate the development of Emirati digital entrepreneurs building technology-driven ventures across financial services, AI and digital commerce, providing structured mentorship, industry access and strategic guidance from Emirates NBD leaders and ecosystem partners. The bank recently hosted the NDTI Founders Summit 2026 celebrating the next generation of Emirati fintech and digital entrepreneurs.
About Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD (DFM: Emirates NBD) is a leading banking group in the MENATSA (Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye and South Asia) region with a presence in 13 countries, serving over 25 million active customers. As at 30th June 2026, total assets were AED 1.3 trillion, (equivalent to approx. USD 354 billion). The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia with a total of 1,425 branches and 4,948 ATMs / SDMs. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of USD 6.1 billion.
Emirates NBD Group serves its customers (individuals, businesses, governments, and institutions) and helps them realise their financial objectives through a range of banking products and services including retail banking, corporate and institutional banking, Islamic banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management, global markets and treasury, and brokerage operations. The Group is a key participant in the global digital banking industry with 97% of all financial transactions and requests conducted outside of its branches. The Group also operates Liv, the lifestyle digital bank by Emirates NBD, with close to half a million users, it continues to be the fastest-growing bank in the region.
Emirates NBD demonstrates leadership in sustainability by becoming the first bank globally to publish an IFRS S1 and S2-aligned report along with assurance of financed emissions and through the landmark issuance of the world’s first Sustainability-Linked Financing Sukuk by Emirates Islamic of USD 500 million fully aligned with ICMA guidelines. Emirates NBD continues to engage and support communities through its pioneering exchanger volunteer programme which completed 10 years in 2025 with over 160,000 hours contributed to social causes for over 1.1 million beneficiaries.