Sudan central bank orders liquidation of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank branch

June 23, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Central Bank of Sudan has decided to liquidate the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank branch in Sudan, ending its 14 years of operations in the country.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sudan, Amna Mirghani Hassan El Tom, issued administrative decision No. 18 of 2026 to initiate the voluntary liquidation of the UAE-based bank’s branch.

The decision was based on powers granted to the governor under Article 50 of the Banking Regulation Act of 2004 and took effect immediately upon issuance.

A senior banking source told Sudan Tribune that Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank’s headquarters in the United Arab Emirates requested liquidation due to a lack of economic viability following the outbreak of war in Sudan.

The source added that the bank’s senior management had continued to provide financial transfer services between the two countries even after the outbreak of the war, noting that it was one of the few banking institutions active in foreign transactions with Sudan.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank began operations in Sudan in 2012, becoming the first financial institution from the UAE to receive a license from the Central Bank of Sudan.

Its 2012 opening ceremony was attended by former Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and the UAE ambassador to Sudan at the time, Hassan Ahmed Al Shehhi.

During its operation, the branch offered wealth management and corporate banking services, contributing to the Islamic finance sector and trade relations between Sudan and the UAE.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank was established in the UAE in May 1997 as a public joint-stock company and began operations in November 1998, with branches spanning several countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Kingdom.