The UAE’s Emiratisation programme is entering a new phase. After years of expanding private-sector participation and introducing workforce incentives, the focus is now shifting toward measurable career outcomes for Emirati talent.
- Nafis Programme Continues to Drive Emirati Employment Growth
- Tawdheef × Zaheb 2026 Targets Real Hiring Outcomes
- Emiratisation Requirements Expand Across More Businesses
- Strong Recruitment Results Highlight Event’s Impact
- Entrepreneurship Becomes Part of the National Talent Strategy
- Employers Seek Better Candidate Readiness
- UAE Labour Market Moves Towards Long-Term Workforce Development
Government data shows strong progress. However, policymakers and employers are increasingly looking beyond hiring targets. They now aim to improve job readiness, career progression, skills development and entrepreneurship opportunities for UAE nationals.
This transition comes as private-sector employment among Emiratis reaches record levels and businesses face growing requirements to hire and retain national talent.
Nafis Programme Continues to Drive Emirati Employment Growth
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the Nafis programme has helped more than 176,000 Emiratis secure employment since its launch. By the end of March 2026, around 152,000 active beneficiaries were working across 32,000 private-sector establishments.
The UAE has also extended the Nafis programme until 2040. As a result, the government has reinforced its long-term commitment to creating sustainable employment opportunities for Emiratis.
At the same time, the wider labour market continues to expand. Data from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) shows that the UAE’s private-sector workforce grew by 12.4% in 2025. Meanwhile, the number of private-sector establishments increased by 7.8%.
MoHRE also reported a 34% rise in labour-market compliance compared with 2024. This growth highlights a labour market that is becoming larger, more structured and increasingly focused on long-term workforce development.
Tawdheef × Zaheb 2026 Targets Real Hiring Outcomes
Against this backdrop, Tawdheef × Zaheb will return to Abu Dhabi from November 17 to 19, 2026. The event is marking its 20th year and plans to place greater emphasis on direct recruitment outcomes.
Organisers say the exhibition will focus on connecting Emirati candidates with employers through interviews, career guidance, skills preparation and practical hiring opportunities.
According to Fadi Harb, Event Director at Informa Middle East, the UAE has already made significant progress in increasing Emirati participation in the private sector.
“The next priority is ensuring that this momentum translates into meaningful careers, stronger employer pipelines and better-prepared candidates,” Harb said.
He added that employers are increasingly seeking quality interactions that lead to interviews, assessments and hiring decisions rather than simply collecting CVs.
Emiratisation Requirements Expand Across More Businesses
The push for practical hiring outcomes comes as Emiratisation requirements continue to widen.
Under current regulations, private-sector companies with 50 or more employees must achieve annual growth of 2% in Emirati employees working in skilled roles.
In addition, selected companies employing between 20 and 49 workers in key sectors must also hire and retain UAE nationals. Consequently, a larger number of businesses are now participating directly in the country’s Emiratisation agenda.
This expansion is creating greater demand for platforms that can efficiently connect employers with qualified Emirati candidates.
Strong Recruitment Results Highlight Event’s Impact
Tawdheef × Zaheb’s recent performance reflects this growing demand.
The 2025 edition attracted more than 10,000 Emirati jobseekers and 67 participating organisations. Furthermore, 44% of exhibitors reported hiring candidates directly during the event.
Another 37.5% of participating organisations collected more than 500 CVs over the three-day exhibition. Notably, all surveyed exhibitors confirmed plans to return for the 2026 edition.
Since its launch, the platform has supported more than 30,000 UAE nationals in accessing employment opportunities and advancing their professional careers.
Entrepreneurship Becomes Part of the National Talent Strategy
A major addition to the 2026 edition will be a dedicated Entrepreneurship Zone.
The initiative comes as entrepreneurship gains importance within the UAE’s broader economic strategy. According to Dubai Media Office, the StartupEmirates.ae platform aims to attract 10,000 entrepreneurs and create 30,000 jobs by 2030.
The Entrepreneurship Zone will connect Emirati visitors with startups, SMEs, founders, innovation hubs and business support organisations.
As a result, participants will gain exposure to startup careers, business creation opportunities and emerging private-sector growth sectors.
Harb noted that Emirati talent is pursuing diverse career paths. While some candidates are seeking their first jobs, others are exploring entrepreneurship, career transitions or opportunities within fast-growing startups.
Employers Seek Better Candidate Readiness
Employers continue to highlight the value of structured recruitment platforms.
Rashid Doleh, Co-Founder of AI-driven Emiratisation platform Dawlati, said the company collected more than 500 CVs during the 2025 event, conducted structured interviews and converted candidate engagement into actual hires.
Similarly, Dr. Saad Al Wedami, Senior Manager at Abu Dhabi Youth Council, said the exhibition has helped young Emiratis engage more confidently with the evolving world of work.
To strengthen recruitment outcomes further, organisers will introduce several new features in 2026. These include CV review services, employer matching programmes, career coaching sessions and enhanced interview opportunities.
The goal is to help candidates arrive better prepared and enable employers to identify talent more efficiently.
UAE Labour Market Moves Towards Long-Term Workforce Development
The evolution of Emiratisation reflects a broader shift within the UAE labour market. While hiring targets remain important, policymakers and employers are placing greater emphasis on long-term career success, workforce readiness and economic participation.
As private-sector employment continues to grow, platforms such as Tawdheef × Zaheb are expected to play a larger role in connecting national talent with emerging opportunities across the economy.
