Sheikh Mansour Launches Nafis Award to Boost Emirati Talent in Private and Financial Sectors
Abu Dhabi [UAE], September 30: Under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) has announced the third cycle of the Nafis Award for 2024-2025, themed ‘Compete and Excel.’ This award aims to develop Emirati talent in the private and financial sectors and promote Emiratisation efforts across the UAE.
The award is open for nominations from September 30 to December 31, 2024. Emiratis working in private and financial institutions, including non-profit organisations, free zones, and the banking and insurance sectors, are invited to apply. Categories include leadership, healthcare, engineering, and retail positions, with a special focus on future jobs in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy.
This year’s edition introduces a new subcategory for future-oriented jobs, preparing young Emiratis for emerging fields. Subcategories within the financial and banking sectors have been consolidated to streamline participation. Awards for entities are divided between those registered under the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and those under the Central Bank of the UAE. Entities supporting Emiratisation efforts or achieving exceptional results in hiring, retaining, and training Emiratis will be recognised based on their performance evaluated through government systems like the Nafis platform.
Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, highlighted the role of the Nafis Award in recognising Emirati talent and private sector contributions to the nation’s economic progress. He noted that over 114,000 Emiratis are now employed in the private sector, with a goal of achieving a 10% growth in Emirati employment by 2026.
Khalid Mohammed Balama, Governor of the UAE Central Bank, stressed the importance of initiatives like Nafis in bolstering the financial sector’s contribution to Emiratisation. The Central Bank’s Ethraa program, launched in 2022, aims to train and employ 9,375 Emiratis by 2027, with a focus on increasing the number of Emiratis in leadership roles to 45% by 2026.
The Nafis Award not only celebrates individual and institutional excellence but also seeks to reshape the perception of working in the private sector. By recognising outstanding contributions, it encourages more young Emiratis to choose careers in the private, financial, and banking sectors, driving national progress and sustainable economic growth. The awards ceremony is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, where the achievements of Emirati talents and top-performing entities will be honoured.
Doubts Revealed
Sheikh Mansour -: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan is a leader from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is part of the royal family and helps make important decisions for the country.
Nafis Award -: The Nafis Award is a special prize given to people in the UAE to encourage them to work in private companies and financial jobs. It helps them become better at their work.
Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) -: The ETCC is a group in the UAE that works to make sure people from the UAE (called Emiratis) have good job opportunities and can compete well in the job market.
Emiratisation -: Emiratisation is a policy in the UAE to make sure more Emiratis get jobs, especially in private companies. It helps balance the number of local and foreign workers.
Private and financial sectors -: These are parts of the economy where businesses and banks operate. Private sector means companies not owned by the government, and financial sector means banks and money-related businesses.
Nominations -: Nominations are when people suggest someone for an award or a prize. For the Nafis Award, people can suggest who they think should win from September 30 to December 31, 2024.
Categories like leadership, healthcare, and future jobs -: These are different types of awards given for being good at leading others, working in health-related jobs, or jobs that will be important in the future.
Second quarter of 2025 -: The second quarter of 2025 means the time from April to June in the year 2025. This is when the awards ceremony will happen.
