---
title: "Citi CEO Jane Fraser Meets UAE Leaders, Reaffirms Focus"
description: "Citi CEO Jane Fraser met senior UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi to reaffirm commitment to the Gulf, with talks on AI, growth and $75B raised in 2026."
canonical_url: "https://liners.com/news/citi-jane-fraser-uae-leaders-commitment-2026"
markdown_url: "https://liners.com/news/citi-jane-fraser-uae-leaders-commitment-2026.md"
type: "article"
language: "en"
published_at: "2026-09-16T19:45:03.331Z"
updated_at: "2026-09-16T19:45:06.190Z"
---

# Citi CEO Jane Fraser Meets UAE Leaders, Reaffirms Focus

Citi CEO Jane Fraser met senior UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi to reaffirm commitment to the Gulf, with talks on AI, growth and $75B raised in 2026.

## Breadcrumbs

- [News](/news)
- [Citi CEO Jane Fraser Meets UAE Leaders, Reaffirms Focus](/news/citi-jane-fraser-uae-leaders-commitment-2026)

## Content

## In Short
- Citi CEO Jane Fraser met senior UAE leaders in Abu Dhabi on September 15, 2026.
- Talks covered regional economic conditions, AI, and cross-border expansion.
- Citi said it raised more than $75 billion for Middle East clients in the first eight months of 2026.

## What Happened
Citi CEO Jane Fraser visited the United Arab Emirates this week and met senior leaders, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Citi said the meetings were meant to reaffirm the bank’s long-term commitment to the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

The discussions focused on the macroeconomic outlook, the UAE’s diversification plans, and the development of AI, which is short for artificial intelligence, meaning software that can perform tasks that usually need human judgment. Citi also said the talks included opportunities for public and private sector institutions in the UAE to expand into new markets, supported by Citi’s global network.

Fraser also met clients and staff during the trip. Citi said it has nearly 2,000 employees in the region and that the team is central to its Middle East and Africa strategy.

Citi has operated in the UAE since 1964, when it opened its first branch in Dubai and later expanded to Abu Dhabi. The bank said it raised more than $75 billion in the first eight months of 2026 to support clients across the Middle East, which typically includes debt and equity fundraising, plus advisory work for deals.

## Why It Matters
For African founders and investors, the UAE remains a major hub for capital flows, holding companies, and regional expansion into the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. When a global bank like [Citi](/citi) signals continued focus on the UAE, it can help keep liquidity available for cross-border dealmaking and large funding rounds.

The emphasis on AI is also notable. Gulf governments and large corporates are investing heavily in AI infrastructure and adoption, and that can create partnerships and procurement opportunities for African AI, data, and enterprise software teams.

Finally, Citi’s $75 billion figure is a reminder that big-ticket fundraising in the region is still active in 2026. That activity can affect valuations, competition for investor attention, and the pace of expansion for African companies looking to build a presence in the Gulf.

## Sources and products

- [citigroup.com](https://www.citigroup.com/global/news/press-release/2026/chair-and-ceo-jane-fraser-meets-with-senior-leadership-of-the-united-arab-emirates-to-reaffirm-citis-commitment-to-the-region)
- [Citi](/citi)

## Related pages

- [Expansion & Partnerships](/news)

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