If you live in the UAE, the extension of the Nafis programme to 2040 is more than just a policy headline. It represents a significant shift in how private companies hire, how Emirati careers develop outside government roles, and how the labor market evolves over the next 15 years. The extension was announced by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, indicating that Emiratization support will remain in place for the foreseeable future.
The Nafis programme was extended until 2040 as part of a wider package of family-focused measures designed to strengthen social stability while accelerating Emiratisation in the private sector.
The Short Version
- Nafis, the federal Emiratization support package, has been extended until 2040, as announced by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
- The goal is to increase the Emirati workforce in private companies and make private sector jobs for Emiratis more attractive and sustainable.
- The longer timeline gives employers and jobseekers more certainty that incentives and support will not disappear after a short cycle.
- The extension includes a focus on Nafis support for Emirati mothers private sector, aimed at improving participation and retention.
Programme Overview
If you are looking for information on what Nafis UAE is, here is a straightforward explanation. Nafis is a federal Emiratization program that assists UAE nationals in securing private sector jobs and aids employers in hiring and retaining Emirati talent. It is part of a broader public-private workforce strategy that seeks to balance the traditional appeal of public-sector roles with increased private-sector involvement.
In everyday terms, the Emiratization Nafis initiative aims to reduce the challenges that can make private employment less appealing for Emiratis, such as pay expectations, benefits, or long-term career stability. It also encourages companies to approach Emiratization as a strategic talent plan rather than a last-minute HR effort.
What This Extension Means
A program extending to 2040 influences behavior. Emirati jobseekers can plan their careers with greater confidence, knowing that support will remain available as they progress from entry-level roles to specialist tracks and management. Families can make more informed long-term decisions regarding income stability, training, and career advancement.
For the broader labour market, Emiratization in the UAE extends beyond headcount. It impacts workplace culture, leadership development, and the sectors that achieve greater Emirati representation. Over time, this can affect roles that interact with customers and senior decision-making in major industries.
Private Sector Impact
For businesses, this is where the extension has the greatest impact. A longer Nafis runway encourages multi-year hiring plans, graduate programs, and internal training academies. It can also motivate companies to enhance their employee value proposition for Emirati talent by offering clearer promotion paths, improved mentoring, and more flexible working arrangements where roles permit.
It directly connects to UAE labor market policy. Employers who plan ahead spend less time dealing with crises and more time developing cohesive teams. This approach benefits productivity and human capital development in the UAE, particularly in sectors requiring specialized skills and continuity.
Support for Emirati Mothers
One of the clearest signals in the Sheikh Mansour Nafis 2040 announcement is the focus on Emirati mothers working in the private sector. The practical goal is retention.
Emirati mothers receiving workplace support helps retain skilled talent during crucial career years. This can gradually increase the number of Emirati women advancing into mid-to-senior roles in private companies, which in turn enhances mentoring, leadership depth, and representation.
Quick reference
| Item | What was announced | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Nafis (federal Emiratization initiative) | Supports Emirati workforce growth in private companies |
| Timeline | Extended until 2040 | Gives long-term certainty for jobseekers and employers |
| Announced by | Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Presidential Court | Signals high-level backing and policy continuity |
| Focus area | Support for Emirati mothers in the private sector | Improves participation and retention over time |
Next steps for residents and employers
- If you are Emirati and job hunting, shortlist private sector roles with clear training and progression, then ask directly what Nafis-linked support is available through your employer pathway.
- If you are an Emirati mother considering a move to the private sector, focus on roles with predictable scheduling options and documented HR policies on flexibility and return-to-work support.
- If you are an employer, treat 2040 as your planning horizon. Build a pipeline that starts with internships and graduate intake, then map training, mentoring, and promotion tracks so Emiratization is tied to retention, not just recruitment.
- If you are an expat manager, expect more Emirati colleagues across functions. The best teams will be the ones that invest early in onboarding, coaching, and fair performance pathways.
What this clearly indicates
The extended Nafis package introduced uncapped child allowances, expanding family support alongside employment incentives to make private-sector careers more sustainable for Emirati households.
The extension of Nafis to 2040 represents a long-term commitment to creating private sector jobs for Emiratis, supported at the highest level. It provides employers with greater certainty to invest in their workforce and offers Emirati families a clearer understanding of how private-sector careers can develop over decades rather than just a single contract cycle. For the UAE labor market, this is another step toward achieving a workforce where Emirati participation in private companies is normal, expected, and supported.
UAE AI guide eliminates manual steps for federal services
Federal Agencies Redesign Services to Let AI Complete Tasks
The UAE’s National Committee for the Agentic AI Project launched a unified operational framework on August 21, 2026, requiring federal agencies to redesign public services around autonomous artificial intelligence assistants. Federal entities will restructure digital interactions so local residents and commercial entities no longer need to identify responsible authorities, submit repetitive documents, or process multi-step administrative applications manually.
Framework Mandates Direct Inter-Agency AI Execution Over Form Submissions
Under the Assistant AI Government Experience Design Guide, virtual assistants will accept single conversational requests, retrieve verified records already held in government databases, and execute tasks across departments without requiring manual application filings. Unveiled during a specialized workshop for federal ministry officials and technical teams, the model establishes a standardized technical approach for transition across all ministries.
Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Government Knowledge Exchange Mohammed Rashid bin Taliah, who heads the Government Services Track of the project, stated that performance will be measured strictly by final task completion rather than the number of messages exchanged with a user. The administrative burden of completing transactions will shift directly to automated federal infrastructure, allowing agentic assistants to plan steps, resolve exceptional cases, and coordinate between entities independently.
The strategy builds on national targets designed to transition 50 percent of UAE government services to agentic artificial intelligence systems.
UAE Claims 18th Medal at Youth MMA World Championships
18 Medals and Counting: Maryam Almutwa Secures Bronze at Mubadala Arena
Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi is hosting the 7th Youth MMA World Championships, bringing global fight action directly to the capital's flagship martial arts venue.
1,100 International Competitors Gather at Mubadala Arena Through August 23
Young athletes in the Youth C category, ages 12 and 13, stepped onto the mat as part of a field featuring more than 1,100 competitors from 55 countries. The tournament runs through August 23, bringing international fight delegations and daily multi-mat action to the venue.
Local supporters saw the national tally climb again when UAE fighter Maryam Almutwa secured bronze in the Youth B Women’s 52kg division. Her podium finish lifted the UAE’s total tournament tally to 18 medals, made up of six gold, five silver, and seven bronze.
The 7th Youth MMA World Championships wrap up competition at Mubadala Arena on August 23.
Dubai population hits 4.74M as daytime crowds reach 6.39M
Daily Daytime Crowds Reach 6.39M as Resident Base Expands
Every morning across the emirate's highway grid, public transport routes, and residential hubs, the physical reality of Dubai's rapid expansion is clear. Live data from the Dubai Population Clock confirmed the resident population reached 4,741,335 by late July 2026, adding more than 161,000 residents in the first seven months of the year alone. That surge follows a jump of 332,000 residents throughout 2025, when the population grew 7.5 per cent in a single year to hit 4.58 million.
Daily Daytime Demand Escalates Across Public Services and Infrastructure
While official resident figures now stand above 4.7 million, the total number of people physically present during peak daytime hours climbs to 6.392 million across the emirate. More than 1.812 million temporary visitors, commuters, and short-term workers enter the city on an average day, placing massive daily demand on road networks, metro routes, utilities, healthcare facilities, and schools.
To manage this growth, Digital Dubai and the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment launched the 'Dubai Population Now' initiative. Approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the digital system replaces traditional physical censuses with real-time administrative tracking and artificial intelligence to adjust urban planning and public service allocation dynamically.
Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, confirmed that this population growth reflects expanding labor market demand and strong economic vitality, which saw the emirate record 5.4 per cent real gross domestic product growth alongside hosting 19.6 million international tourists in 2025.
3 Face FIFA Egypt Disciplinary Action Over World Cup Claims
FIFA Launches Disciplinary Cases Against Egypt Coach, Director, and Player
FIFA’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has opened separate disciplinary proceedings against Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan, team director Ibrahim Hassan, and forward Mostafa Zico following explosive statements made around their July 7, 2026 World Cup match against Argentina. The legal filings target all three national team figures for public declarations alleging referee bias, pre-arranged match outcomes favoring Argentina, and non-sporting political messaging delivered on official tournament platforms.
Allegations of Official Bias and Political Messaging Trigger Charges
Official correspondence from FIFA’s disciplinary department confirms the probe stems directly from pre- and post-match actions linked to the Argentina fixture. Head coach Hossam Hassan faces potential sanctions after delivering a statement of support for Palestine during his pre-match press conference, which governing bodies classify as an unauthorized message of a non-sporting nature. Following the match, Hassan publicly alleged Argentina received preferential treatment due to commercial marketing considerations, their standing as defending champions, and the presence of Lionel Messi in their lineup. He asserted that Egypt suffered a "grave injustice" and declared he would boycott watching remaining tournament matches over a perceived lack of competitive fairness.
In a parallel proceeding, team director Ibrahim Hassan faces charges over post-match remarks claiming the result was predetermined and that match officials "ensured Argentina’s victory." Case files submitted to the committee's prosecutor document that Ibrahim Hassan repeated political messages regarding Palestine while accusing match officials of deliberately stripping the team of legitimate sporting rights. FIFA formally cited both Hassan brothers under Articles 13, 13.1, 13.2(a), 13.2(c), and 13.2(d) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, which govern offensive behavior, violations of integrity and fair play, basic standards of decent conduct, and actions bringing the sport into disrepute.
Forward Mostafa Zico was cited under a distinct charge sheet targeting public statements directed at the match referee. FIFA filings detail that Zico accused officiating staff of lacking basic integrity, intentionally disallowing legitimate Egyptian goals, and overseeing a "fixed and manipulated tournament." Beyond the core violations listed under Articles 13, 13.2(a), and 13.2(d), Zico faces an additional charge under Article 14.1(j), which specifically penalizes unsporting conduct toward match officials.
Under Article 38 of the Disciplinary Code, FIFA established a six-day deadline from the time of official notification for all three individuals to file formal responses with the Disciplinary Committee secretariat. Each party retains the right to designate one legal representative. If any accused individual fails to submit a defense before the deadline expires, Article 12.5 authorizes the committee to issue binding decisions based entirely on existing case documentation.
Turkey modem scam leads to 90 arrests in $3m raid
$3M Fake Device Ring Busted as Police Detain 90 Across 19 Provinces
Turkish police detained 90 suspects across 19 provinces in simultaneous raids centered in Eskişehir after unraveling a 116 million lira ($3 million) telecommunications fraud network. The syndicate targeted hundreds of internet subscribers nationwide, tricking victims into paying for non-functional hardware under the guise of mandatory network upgrades.
Caller Network Swindled 801 Victims Through Cash-on-Delivery Deliveries
Callers telephoned victims while posing as representatives of established telecommunications and internet companies, falsely warning that impending infrastructure upgrades would render existing modems obsolete and cause higher monthly bills. Believing the warning, targets accepted replacement equipment shipped directly to their homes and paid courier fees upfront, receiving useless or low-value devices in exchange for cash.
The operation marks another step in Turkey's ongoing campaign against structured cybercrime networks, following repeated crackdowns on online scams, identity theft, and money laundering across the country.
