The Saudi Riyal and UAE Dirham symbols: what they mean for banking in the Middle East

Emma Foley

Chief Marketing Officer, Azentio

Symbols carry weight. They don’t just sit on notes or websites, they say something about who you are and where you’re going. That’s why the new Saudi Riyal and UAE Dirham symbols are such a big deal. It’s not just design work, it’s a statement.

And honestly, I get it. When I worked on our brand, it wasn’t some exercise in logos and colour palettes. It was about meaning. I wanted something that showed the future of technology but still felt authentic to the cultures and diversity of the regions we live and work in. That brand project was a merging of head and heart, and it taught me a lot. Mainly this: symbols matter.

Saudi Riyal symbol and vision 2030

Saudi’s new Riyal symbol fits perfectly with Vision 2030. It says: we’re diversifying, we’re digitising, we’re not waiting around. The Kingdom wants to lead in fintech, e-governance, modern banking, and they’re making sure everyone sees it.

I’ll never forget being in Riyadh on the first day women were allowed to drive. Police officers were literally handing roses to women at the wheel. It was powerful, emotional, and very real progress. That moment and this new symbol? Same spirit. Transformation that you can actually see.

And for banks in Saudi? Let’s be honest, this isn’t about “making sure the new character renders correctly in your system font.” It’s about shaking off legacy processes and being ready for a whole new kind of customer who expects speed and digital-first journeys.

The UAE Dirham symbol

Now, the UAE, this one feels personal. I moved to Dubai over ten years ago and in that time, progress has never slept. That’s why I’ve stayed here. From my office window over Sheikh Zayed Road I can literally watch it happening: cars streaming past, cranes inching higher every day, whole buildings and roads appearing almost overnight. You blink and something new is there. That’s Dubai. Always moving, always innovating.

So when I saw the new Dirham symbol, it just clicked. It’s not just branding, it’s the visual language of a country that never stands still. For banks here, sure, it means updating interfaces, contracts, and all the regulatory boxes. But the real story is about keeping pace with a market that reinvents itself daily.

What it all means

So what’s the impact? Everywhere you look. Digital payments, e-commerce, wallets, QR codes, remittances, these new symbols will show up on everything. Regulators will expect banks to get in line fast. And in cross-border flows, it’s about credibility. You don’t want to be the institution still sending old symbols into the global system. That’s the equivalent of showing up to a party in last season’s suit, everyone notices, and not in a good way.

A shared spirit of progress

Working on our brand was a huge project for me, and it wasn’t about fonts and colours. It was about identity. I wanted something bold and future-facing, but also something that honoured where we come from. I still think of it as a labour of love.

I actually read about the new Riyal symbol for the first time while sitting in my garden during a family BBQ. And I remember thinking, “this is perfect.” Heritage and modernisation, side by side. The kind of thing that makes you stop flipping burgers for a second and just appreciate how far things have come.

Looking ahead

Change isn’t “on the way,” it’s already here. The new Riyal and Dirham symbols are part of a bigger shift. The future of banking in this region will be faster, more digital, more connected. And progress? It’s constant.

From Riyadh to Dubai, the message is the same: transformation doesn’t pause. And for banks, the opportunity is simple. Keep up, lean in, and don’t be the one left explaining why your system still hasn’t caught up.

Emma Foley

Chief Marketing Officer, Azentio