New UAE Dirham symbol

The central bank issued a new written symbol for the dirham and a usage standard for it, then drove adoption through banks and retailers. By July 2025 UAE brands were carrying the symbol on their apps, price lists and store signage.

The brief

Businesses, banks and shoppers in the UAE, who until now had no written symbol for the national currency.

The idea

The central bank issued a dirham symbol, derived from the currency's English name with two horizontal lines inspired by the flag, plus rules on where it may appear and where it may not.

What to borrow

Publishing usage rules with a new symbol, including a ban on using it as a logo, keeps a national mark consistent as brands adopt it.