United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi's lending market is anchored by large regional banks with strong government links, and both conventional and Sharia compliant financing are widely available. Energy, government contracting and real estate dominate the corporate lending landscape, alongside a growing focus on diversification sectors.
| Structure | Where it works |
|---|---|
| Islamic finance (Murabaha or Ijara) | Sharia compliant structures used for asset purchase and working capital. |
| Conventional term loan | Standard interest based lending available to most established companies. |
| Trade finance | Supports import and export activity, common among trading and distribution businesses. |
| Contract backed finance | Used by government contractors to fund working capital against signed contracts. |
Government contract backed lending often requires evidence of the contract and a track record of delivery on similar work.
Islamic finance documentation differs structurally from conventional loans, so allow time for legal review if it is unfamiliar.
Facilities typically take four to eight weeks depending on collateral and whether the lender is a government linked bank.
No, conventional and Islamic finance both operate as mainstream options, and the choice is generally down to company preference or investor requirements rather than obligation.
Very significant for many companies, since contract backed finance against a confirmed government or quasi government contract is a common and well understood structure among Abu Dhabi lenders.
Foreign ownership is common and generally not a barrier, though lenders will want clear documentation on the corporate structure and any local sponsor or shareholder arrangements.
Tell us what the business in Abu Dhabi needs and we will structure the request and approach the providers whose criteria match. No upfront fees, charges apply only once funding completes.
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