About Innovation Hub

EIF INNOVATION HUB

ABOUT US

EIF INNOVATION HUB

ABOUT US

A dynamic platform dedicated to fostering innovation, driving digital transformation, and nurturing talent within the UAE's financial sector.

CBUAE’s Innovation Hub at the Emirates Institute of Finance, a world-class center for research, innovation, and development in the financial services sector.

Inaugurated on 20th November 2024 in the presence of H.E. Khaled Mohammed Balama and other distinguished dignitaries, the Innovation Hub is committed to:

  • Fostering the next generation of highly skilled financial services industry professionals equipped with world-class capabilities in innovation
  • Providing a dynamic, future-ready environment for research, development, and real-world problem solving
  • Building a robust innovation ecosystem by enabling cross-sector collaboration with universities, research institutions, fintech startups, and global technology leaders

EIF INNOVATION HUB

ESTABLISHED IN 2023

The Innovation Hub at the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) was launched with the support of the Central Bank of UAE, as part of its Financial Infrastructure Transformation ("FIT") strategy to become one of the top central banks globally, and its efforts to drive the monetary and financial stability towards sustainable economic growth and to support the UAE competitiveness.

EIF INNOVATION HUB

DRIVING FINANCIAL INNOVATION

The EIF Innovation Hub (EIF-I) was primarily launched to become a nationwide center of excellence for the financial sector and build a mature innovation ecosystem.

EIF INNOVATION HUB

DRIVING FINANCIAL INNOVATION

Additionally, the Innovation Hub aimed to implement its own digital agenda, facilitate open and active engagement with innovative firms in financial services, and build an innovation value chain within the dynamic ecosystem that encompasses internal and external stakeholders.

EIF INNOVATION HUB

ACCELERATING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

To achieve its objective to become a center of excellence, the Innovation Hub's team developed a plan to drive a shift in industry's culture and mindset towards a greater focus on innovation and collaboration.

EIF INNOVATION HUB

ACCELERATING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The plan aims to gain a deeper understanding of the necessary steps to support the UAE's Emiratization strategy of critical roles in the banking and financial sectors, by upskilling UAE citizens, and engage external stakeholders to utilize their resources in upskilling and training in emerging technologies.

EIF INNOVATION HUB

OUR VISION

To position the UAE at the forefront of financial innovation through research excellence, future foresight, disruptive technologies, and ecosystem collaboration.

EIF INNOVATION HUB

OUR MISSION

To enable transformative innovation through a world-class ecosystem, connecting industry, academia, think tanks, and global technology leaders, shaping the next era of financial progress in the UAE and beyond.

THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY

The opening ceremony at the Emirate Institute of Finance (EIF) campus in Dubai was conducted on November 20, 2024 in presence of H.E. Khaled Mohammed Balama, CBUAE Governor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EIF, H.E. Mohammed bin Taliah, Head of Government Services, H.E. Saif Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Institute of Finance; members of the Institute’s Board of Directors; along with CEOs of banks and financial institutions.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FINANCE

We are committed to develop a unique ecosystem of innovators, banking experts, and business builders leading to a brighter future or the banking industry, by bringing leading expertise and perspectives from the world’s most agile markets, to offer innovative, dynamic, and scalable business models.

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VISION

Become the engine to drive competitiveness through pioneering innovations, enhanced human capital and forward-looking technologies and regulations to position the UAE as one of the top financial services and fintech hubs.

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MISSION

Build a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and transformation, allowing internal an external stakeholders and industry players, including start-ups and SMEs, other Innovation Hubs, collaborators and researchers, the opportunity to contribute to the development of the finance and insurance industries.

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ABOUT THE INNOVATION HUB

Established in 2023, the Innovation Hub at the Emirates Institute of Finance (EIF) was launched with the support of the Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE), as part of its Financial Infrastructure Transformation (“FIT”) strategy to become one of the top central banks globally, and its efforts to drive the monetary and financial stability towards sustainable economic growth and to support the UAE competitiveness.

The Innovation Hub was primarily launched to become a nationwide center of excellence for the financial sector, build a mature innovation ecosystem, and implement its own digital agenda. Additionally, the Innovation Hub aimed to help facilitate open and active engagement with innovative firms in financial services, and to build an innovation value chain within the dynamic ecosystem that encompasses internal and external stakeholders.

To achieve its objective to become a center of excellence, the Innovation Hub’s team developed a plan to drive a shift in industry’s culture and mindset towards a greater focus on innovation and collaboration, with internal and external stakeholders, gain deeper understanding of the necessary steps to support the UAE’s Emiratization strategy of critical roles in the banking and financial sectors, by upskilling UAE citizens, and engage external stakeholders to utilize their resources in upskilling and training in emerging technologies.

We are committed to develop a unique ecosystem of innovators, banking experts, and business builders leading to a brighter future or the banking industry, by bringing leading expertise and perspectives from the world’s most agile markets, to offer innovative, dynamic, and scalable business models.

DRIVING FINACIAL INNOVATION

The Innovation Hub was primarily launched to become a nationwide center of excellence for the financial sector, build a mature innovation ecosystem, and implement its own digital agenda. Additionally, the Innovation Hub aimed to help facilitate open and active engagement with innovative firms in financial services, and to build an innovation value chain within the dynamic ecosystem that encompasses internal and external stakeholders.

EIF INNOVATION HUB FOCUS FOR 2024​

Innovation remains key to enabling the digital economy in the UAE. Digital transformation priorities that are vital to the Central Bank community.

EIF-I 2024 FOCUS

OPEN FINANCE SHIFT TO AN OPEN ECONOMY

EIF-I 2024 FOCUS

CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY

EIF-I 2024 FOCUS

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

EIF-I 2024 FOCUS

UAE FINTECH ENGAGEMENT

EIF INNOVATION HUB FOCUS FOR 2024

Innovation remains key to enabling the digital economy in the UAE. Digital transformation priorities that are vital to the Central Bank community.

Open Finance shift to an open economy

Open Finance shift to an open economy

Central Bank Digital Currency

Central Bank Digital Currency

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence

UAE Fintech Engagement

UAE Fintech Engagement

THE INNOVATION STAR

The guiding point for an organization, informing and inspiring internal and external stakeholders.

Be the engine to drive competitiveness through pioneering innovations, enhanced human capital, and forward-looking technologies and regulations to position the UAE as one of the top financial services and fintech hub.