NBK reports Kuwaitisation rate of 77.4% as it targets young banking talent

National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has reaffirmed its focus on attracting and developing Kuwaiti talent, reporting a Kuwaitisation rate of more than 77.4% at the end of 2025 as it strengthens recruitment and career development initiatives for young professionals.

NBK’s Group Human Resources team engaged with visitors at Watheefti 2026 last week on available vacancies, career paths in banking and the skills required to progress in the sector. The event also gave the bank an opportunity to understand the professional interests and aspirations of prospective candidates and inform its future recruitment strategies.

Emad Al-Ablani, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at NBK, said, “Our participation in Watheefti reflects NBK’s continued commitment to its role as an active partner in supporting Kuwait’s economic and human development by attracting young Kuwaiti talent and providing high-quality career opportunities that enable them to build promising futures in the banking sector.

We view human capital development as a long-term investment that contributes to preparing qualified Kuwaiti professionals equipped with the skills and expertise needed to lead the future of the financial sector and actively contribute to achieving the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.”

“Attracting and developing Kuwaiti talent is a key pillar of our human resources strategy. We are committed to providing a work environment that empowers employees to build sustainable careers and offers genuine opportunities for long-term growth and advancement,” Al-Ablani added.

He said the bank’s strategy also prioritises professional development through specialised training programmes designed to equip employees with the capabilities required to navigate changes in the banking sector.

Women hold 27.2% of managerial positions

NBK reported that women accounted for 42.4% of its total workforce at the end of 2025 and held 27.2% of managerial positions. The bank said it continues to invest in structured career pathways, leadership development and initiatives to increase the representation of women and young professionals in leadership roles.

Its recruitment activity also reflected its focus on national talent. NBK received more than 9,000 CVs and recruited 306 employees in the previous year, the majority of whom were Kuwaiti nationals.

Al-Ablani said the bank had built a strong employer brand through its focus on career development, advancement opportunities and a workplace culture centred on innovation, diversity and equal opportunities.

Human capital, he added, would remain central to the bank’s long-term success and sustainable growth.

NBK highlights career development and employee well-being

Gadeer Al-Kooheji, Senior Vice President and Head of Talent Acquisition at NBK’s Group Human Resources division, said Watheefti provided an opportunity to engage directly with prospective employees and understand their career expectations.

“The career fair provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with a large number of promising Kuwaiti professionals. We witnessed growing interest among young Kuwaitis in exploring career opportunities within the banking sector and learning about the diverse career paths available at NBK,” Al-Kooheji said.

She added that the bank’s human resources team provided career guidance to help visitors better understand labour market requirements and make informed decisions about their professional futures.

Al-Kooheji said the event also helped the talent acquisition team identify candidates’ areas of interest and specialisations, offering insights to refine recruitment strategies in line with the bank’s future workforce requirements.

Emphasising the bank’s workplace culture, she said NBK operates under the motto “More Than Just a Workplace”, with a focus on employee support and physical and mental well-being.

Its facilities include a fully equipped gym, recreational amenities and a medical clinic operated by Wara Hospital at its headquarters. The clinic provides medical examinations, laboratory testing and consultations with visiting specialists, complemented by health awareness sessions covering physical and mental well-being.

The bank also offers specialised training courses and professional academic programmes to develop national talent and prepare young people for careers in banking.

NBK’s recruitment and development initiatives align with Kuwait’s broader efforts to increase national participation in the private sector and develop the skilled workforce needed to support the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.