MBRIF and National Bonds partner to boost financial literacy for UAE entrepreneurs

As the UAE continues to strengthen its innovation economy, financial literacy is emerging as a critical driver of entrepreneurial success.

Recognizing that access to capital alone is not enough, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) and National Bonds are partnering to equip founders and young innovators with the financial skills needed to build resilient, future-ready businesses.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF), an initiative of the UAE Ministry of Finance that supports the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Bonds, the UAE’s Sharia-compliant savings and investment company, to advance financial literacy and entrepreneurial capabilities among young people.

The partnership will combine the expertise of both organizations to deliver education, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to improve financial awareness and strengthen entrepreneurial thinking across the UAE.

“We are committed to providing our innovators with the comprehensive support they need to scale successfully and sustainably,” said Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry’s representative at MBRIF. “This partnership with National Bonds perfectly aligns with our mission to foster an innovation-driven generation. By integrating financial literacy into our entrepreneurship initiatives, we are equipping founders and the wider youth demographic with the essential tools and mindset to build resilient, future-ready businesses that will actively contribute to the UAE’s long-term economic growth.”

As part of the agreement, National Bonds will deliver workshops and interactive sessions for MBRIF members and other stakeholders, covering financial literacy, investment awareness, wealth-building strategies, and practical financial planning.

Meanwhile, MBRIF will contribute entrepreneurship-focused educational content, including awareness sessions, founder success stories, and innovation-led knowledge-sharing initiatives designed to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Financial awareness is a critical pillar of both sustainable business and personal success,” said Rehab Lootah, Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer of National Bonds. “Through our collaboration with MBRIF, National Bonds is proud to extend our expertise to some of the brightest entrepreneurial minds in the nation.”

The collaboration will also explore opportunities to expand National Bonds’ financial literacy and Young Investor programs while introducing capacity-building and train-the-trainer initiatives to strengthen entrepreneurship education and better equip mentors and educators to support the UAE’s next generation of innovators.