Etihad Credit Insurance

What Etihad Credit Insurance does

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) is the United Arab Emirates' federal export credit company, established in 2018 and headquartered at Rolex Tower, Level 29, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai. Wholly owned by the UAE Federal Government and operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, ECI provides trade credit insurance, political risk insurance, project finance insurance, and buyer credit insurance to UAE-based exporters, re-exporters, banks, ECAs, investors, developers, and EPC contractors. Its product portfolio spans Whole Turnover Insurance, Single Risk Insurance, Invoice Discounting Insurance, Pre-Shipment Risk Insurance, Supply Chain Finance Insurance, Factoring Insurance, Non-Payment Insurance, LC Confirmation Insurance, Buyer Credit Insurance (protecting bank loans to foreign buyers), Project Finance Insurance (tenor up to 15 years for sovereign exposures), Political Risk Insurance, and Green Working Capital Insurance. Coverage typically ranges from 80% to 95% of insured amounts, with policy tenors from short-term up to 15 years.

ECI's underlying technology stack centers on a digital ecosystem comprising the ECI Online Portal (policy management), Premium Estimator (indicative pricing), and Global Market Explorer (market intelligence with product, market, and diversification modules). The platform is supported by access to a Global Business Database of 600M+ companies for buyer risk assessment, and ECI is the first export credit agency on the UAE's KYC Blockchain Platform. The company also discloses predictive analytics and anomaly-detection capabilities for real-time underwriting and country/sector monitoring.

The business model is premium-based subscription revenue on insurance policies, supplemented by transaction fees on buyer credit and project finance deals, and professional services revenue through the Xport Xponential program. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to buyer country profile, credit quality, and coverage terms. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales (anchored on flagship deals such as the Trafigura USD 100 million cover supporting a USD 150 million commodity-sourcing credit facility with Natixis, ADEX, and FAB), a banking partner network (Al Maryah, FAB, ADCB, CBD, Al Masraf and others), and government partner channels (DEDC, ADED, Khalifa Fund, DAFZ). ECI reports insured turnover of AED 15 billion+, AED 10 billion in 2025 coverages and guarantees, an AA- Fitch Rating for eight consecutive years, and operations spanning 110+ countries.

Name

Etihad Credit Insurance

Legal name

Etihad Export Credit Insurance Company PJSC

Website

https://eci.gov.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) is the UAE's federal export credit company, wholly owned by the UAE government, providing trade credit insurance, political risk insurance, project finance insurance, and buyer credit insurance to UAE exporters, banks, ECAs, and project developers across 110+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Credit Insurance

NAICS

Direct Property and Casualty Insurance Carriers (524126), Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers (52412)

SIC

Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331), Insurance Carriers, Nec (6399)

akta.pro primary industry

Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) & Trade Finance Institutions (BPADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Structured Trade & Export Credit (ECA-backed, Structured Solutions) (FSABAHAJ)

Keywords

• Trade credit insurance
• Export finance solutions
• Political risk insurance
• Project finance insurance
• Buyer credit insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Credit Insurance Premiums: ECI provides credit insurance solutions protecting exporters against non-payment risks from buyer insolvency or prolonged default. Premiums are charged as a percentage based on country profile, buyer risk, and coverage terms. Coverage ranges up to 90-95% of insured amount.
2. Political Risk Insurance: Insurance products protecting investors, developers, and EPC contractors against political risks in overseas projects. Tenure can extend up to 15 years for sovereign exposures.
3. Project Finance Insurance: Insurance protecting UAE banks against payment default on loans to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) backed by UAE companies. Coverage up to 90% with tenure up to 15 years.
4. Buyer Credit Insurance: Insurance enabling UAE exporters to offer extended payment terms to foreign buyers through bank financing. Protects banks against non-payment on loans to foreign buyers.
5. Xport Xponential Program Services: Comprehensive export support program providing capital access, trade insurance, importer network access, and trade missions for SME exporters

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) is the UAE's federal export credit company providing trade credit insurance, political risk insurance, project finance insurance, and buyer credit insurance to UAE exporters, re-exporters, banks, ECAs, investors, and EPC contractors. The company protects businesses against non-payment risks from foreign buyers, enables competitive financing terms through bank partnerships, and supports market expansion into 110+ countries. ECI complements its insurance products with digital tools including the Premium Estimator and Global Market Explorer, and the Xport Xponential export acceleration program for SME exporters.

Product overview

Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) operates as a federal export credit company offering a comprehensive suite of credit insurance and risk management solutions. The product portfolio centers on core trade credit insurance products including Whole Turnover Insurance (portfolio-level coverage), Single Risk Insurance (transaction-specific coverage), and specialized products such as Invoice Discounting Insurance, Pre-Shipment Risk Insurance, Supply Chain Finance Insurance, Factoring Insurance, Non-Payment Insurance, and LC Confirmation Insurance. ECI also provides financing-linked insurance products including Buyer Credit Insurance (protecting bank loans to foreign buyers) and Project Finance Insurance (protecting SPV loans for up to 15 years). The offering includes a dedicated Green Working Capital Insurance for sustainable transactions and Political Risk Insurance for overseas investments. Supporting these products is a digital ecosystem comprising the Global Market Explorer (market intelligence and export potential analysis), Premium Estimator (indicative pricing tool), and the Xport Xponential Program (export acceleration initiative providing CEPA market access, trade missions, and training).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Whole Turnover Insurance Comprehensive coverage protecting a company's entire portfolio of buyers and receivables against non-payment risks arising from buyer insolvency or protracted default. Designed for UAE exporters and re-exporters with broad buyer bases seeking portfolio-level protection.
• Single Risk Insurance Targeted protection for specific buyers or large individual export transactions. Ideal for UAE exporters with concentrated buyer exposure or single large contracts requiring transaction-specific coverage against non-payment.
• Invoice Discounting Insurance Insurance coverage enabling businesses to access early payment on invoices by mitigating the risk of non-payment from buyers. Supports working capital optimization for UAE exporters.
• Pre-Shipment Risk Insurance Coverage protecting exporters against risks that may occur before goods are shipped, including buyer default during the production phase. Designed for UAE manufacturers and exporters with long production cycles.
• Supply Chain Finance Insurance

Quantifiable outcome

• AED 10 billion in coverages and guarantees in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Partnership to strengthen financing opportunities for renewable energy projects globally by combining ECI's credit insurance and risk management services with IRENA's Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform. The collaboration aims to reduce investment risks in emerging markets and improve access to capital for clean energy initiatives. With ECI joining, ETAF partner count increased to 15 with $4.15 billion in total pledges.
• MasdarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to develop political and commercial risk insurance solutions to improve bankability and financing for Masdar's renewables projects both in UAE and globally. ECI will assist Masdar in attracting funding partners for new geographies and reducing cost of bank funding using its network.
• Czech Export Guarantee and Insurance Corporation (EGAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership to support export-driven businesses between UAE and Czech Republic. Covers protection against commercial and non-commercial risks, export financing, SME support, market intelligence exchange, and collaboration in third-country markets. Czech imports from UAE reached AED 886.10 million in 2025.
• Export Finance Australia (EFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to strengthen cooperation and coordination in advancing trade and investment between UAE and Australia across key economic sectors. Aligns with UAE-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Enables co-financing of eligible projects in both markets and third regions, particularly Southeast Asia.
• SinosurecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to boost UAE-China economic cooperation through export credit insurance and risk mitigation solutions. Supports trade and investment flows between the two nations.
• Al Maryah Community BankcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoU to enhance Xport Xponential initiative, expanding financial solutions for UAE exporters and re-exporters. As UAE's first local digital bank, Al Maryah provides innovative credit facilities and digital financing to make global market entry easier for businesses.
• Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoU to strengthen Dubai's export ecosystem by providing export credit insurance and comprehensive trade risk mitigation solutions to Dubai-based manufacturers under the Export Assistance Program. Aligns with D33 Agenda's goal of doubling Dubai's economy.
• TrafiguraflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSD 100 million insurance cover supporting USD 150 million credit facility for Trafigura to source non-oil commodities (metals and minerals) directly from UAE. Financing partners include Natixis, Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).
• Berne UnioncoreOthersMember of the Berne Union, the international association of export credit and investment insurers, providing access to industry best practices and network connections.
• Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member of UN's Net Zero Export Credit Alliance, supporting climate action and sustainable trade ecosystems.
• KYC Blockchain PlatformcoreTechnology or IntegrationFirst export credit agency to join UAE's KYC Blockchain Platform, led by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, enabling streamlined customer verification.
• ChadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to strengthen trade and economic cooperation between UAE and Chad, supporting exporters in both countries.
• Al MasrafcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic MoU to support UAE trade through banking and financing solutions.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Atradius: Dutch-headquartered credit insurer providing trade credit insurance, surety, debt collection, and political risk coverage worldwide. Comparable core product (trade credit insurance) and customer segments (exporters, banks), but operates as a private-sector incumbent rather than sovereign-backed.
• US EXIM Bank: U.S. federal export credit agency providing export credit insurance, loan guarantees, and direct loans to support U.S. exports. Comparable federal ECA mandate and product suite (export credit insurance, project finance), serving a far larger economy.
• UK Export Finance (UKEF): UK's export credit agency offering export insurance, guarantees, and buyer credit facilities to support UK exports. Direct functional peer as a sovereign ECA underwriter, with similar products (buyer credit, project finance, political risk).
• Coface: French-headquartered trade credit insurer offering commercial credit insurance, surety, and political risk globally. Comparable product overlap (credit insurance, political risk) and customer base (exporters, banks), though Coface operates as a private-listed company versus ECI's federal mandate.
• Euler Hermes (Allianz Trade): World's largest trade credit insurer (now part of Allianz), underwriting commercial credit insurance, surety, and political risk across 50+ markets. Comparable to ECI as a global ECA-aligned trade credit underwriter serving exporters, banks, and investors, though operating as a private-sector incumbent rather than a federal ECA.

Direct peers

• CESCE: Spanish state-supported export credit agency providing trade credit insurance, surety, and political risk coverage — direct functional peer to ECI's federal ECA model, supporting Spanish exporters with similar product offerings.
• Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE): South Korea's state-owned export credit agency providing trade credit insurance, overseas investment insurance, and project finance coverages. Direct ECA peer with similar product structure and federal mandate, supporting a major export-oriented economy.
• Sinosure: China's state-owned export credit agency underwriting short-, medium-, and long-term export credit insurance and overseas investment insurance. Direct ECA peer to ECI, with an even larger national mandate; ECI has a strategic MoU with Sinosure to support UAE-China trade.
• Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI): Japan's export credit agency under METI, providing trade credit insurance, overseas investment insurance, and project finance coverages. Direct functional peer as a sovereign ECA with similar product architecture.

Others

• Bpifrance: France's public investment bank providing export credit insurance, trade financing, and SME support alongside Coface's ECA functions. Comparable SME export-support programs (analogous to ECI's Xport Xponential) and government-backed mandate, though it bundles credit insurance with broader financing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/etihad-credit-insurance
• Xx.com/eci_gov

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Etihad Credit Insurance