RIYADH: Global sukuk issuance is projected to hover between $270 billion and $280 billion this year, up from $264.8 billion in 2025 and $234.9 billion in 2024, an analysis by S&P Global revealed.
In its latest report, the firm said this strong momentum in sukuk issuance will be driven by projected lower oil prices, financing needs in some Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and the Federal Reserve’s expected continuation of monetary easing.
Sukuk are Shariah-compliant financial instruments that grant investors partial ownership in an issuer’s underlying assets and serve as an alternative to conventional bonds.
Earlier in January, Fitch Ratings echoed similar views, noting that issuance momentum in 2026 is expected to remain steady due to funding diversification strategies among GCC nations, as well as upcoming maturities and refinancing needs across sovereigns, financial institutions, and corporates.
In its latest report, S&P Global said: “In 2026, barring major volatility in the global capital markets or unexpected spikes in geopolitical risk, we expect issuance to continue increasing, supported by lower oil prices, strong economic performance in some core Islamic finance countries’ economies, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and supportive market conditions.”
