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The Ministry of Finance signed the partnership agreement at its offices in Dubai with the DIFC Academy to strengthen capabilities across the public financial sector. Younis Haji AlKhoori, undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Arif Amiri, chief executive officer of the DIFC Authority, formalised the deal in the presence of senior executives and academic representatives from both organisations. The accord targets specialised training for financial leaders and executives working within federal entities according to details shared at the event.
Objectives centre on equipping participants with the advanced knowledge and practical competencies required for informed strategic financial decision-making in an evolving regulatory environment. The intensive curriculum is structured around four core pillars that encompass leadership development, artificial intelligence applications, financial analysis paired with strategic planning, and financial advisory services. A flexible learning model will offer in-person, online and hybrid formats so that professionals across federal bodies can advance their expertise without disrupting ongoing responsibilities the ministry stated.
Younis Haji AlKhoori said, “Our strategic partnership with the DIFC’s Academy represents a key milestone in advancing leadership and advisory capabilities across the financial sector and reflects the Ministry of Finance’s vision of building a more efficient, sustainable and innovation-driven public financial ecosystem.” He added that maintaining financial excellence depends on empowering national talent with the latest knowledge and internationally recognised professional practices. This investment, AlKhoori noted, supports development of a new generation of financial leaders and advisers equipped for the changing demands of government financial management.
AlKhoori further explained that the programmes align with rapid technological advancement and the UAE’s strategic direction to accelerate artificial intelligence integration across government operations. The training will provide a platform for national talent to lead digital transformation while unlocking opportunities in the financial sector. Such efforts also aim to advance public financial management through forward-looking capabilities, sound governance frameworks and the responsible use of intelligent technologies that contribute to sustainable development objectives.
Arif Amiri said, “We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance on this important initiative, which reflects our shared commitment to developing the next generation of financial leaders and advisers.” He emphasised that at DIFC, attracting, developing and retaining world-class talent has remained a priority because strong human capital underpins the UAE’s financial services industry, economic diversification and long-term global competitiveness. Through the DIFC Academy, which has developed finance and business professionals for more than two decades, the partnership will support expansion toward educating more than 50,000 learners annually by 2030 according to Amiri.
The initiative builds upon existing cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and the DIFC Academy, whose UAE Corporate Tax Diploma delivered in collaboration with PwC’s Academy has already been attended by staff from the ministry and the Federal Tax Authority. Academy publications indicate that the first cohort graduation in 2023 included 28 tax professionals who gained practical knowledge of federal corporate tax regulations. Both new programmes will feature dedicated modules on AI technologies and their applications, enabling analysis of complex financial data, intelligent reporting, process automation and improved predictive forecasting in line with national priorities.
