Private sector lending in the United Arab Emirates strengthened at the start of 2026, with year-over-year growth in loans rising to 18.84% in January 2026. This marks an increase from December 2025, when the annual growth rate stood at 17.84%.
The figures, updated on 24 March 2026, show that the pace of expansion in private sector credit has picked up when comparing January 2026 to the same month a year earlier, versus the prior month’s year-over-year comparison. This acceleration suggests a continued build-up in borrowing activity by businesses and individuals at the beginning of the year.
The January reading indicates that momentum in private sector loan growth has not only been sustained but has modestly strengthened compared with the previous month’s performance on a year-over-year basis, pointing to an improving credit environment in the UAE.
