UF AWARDS MEA 2026: Nominations Enter Final Phase
The nomination round for the is approaching its deadline, with submissions scheduled to close on January 23. Industry participants, clients, and members of the public still have a limited window to nominate brokers, financial service providers, and fintech firms operating across the Middle East and Africa.
The UF AWARDS MEA form part of a broader global awards programme that recognises companies active in trading, brokerage, financial infrastructure, and financial technology. The regional edition focuses specifically on firms with a presence or customer base in MEA markets, spanning both B2C and B2B business models.
Nominations are open to the public, meaning companies do not need to submit their own applications in order to be considered. Any individual familiar with a brand’s products or services can put forward a nomination in one or more categories.
Why the UF AWARDS voting model stands out
One of the defining characteristics of the UF AWARDS is the way winners are selected. Rather than relying on a closed judging panel or internal committee, award outcomes are decided through a public voting process.
Votes are cast by traders, industry professionals, partners, and clients. Organisers say this structure is designed to reduce the influence of commercial relationships or vested interests that can affect privately judged awards. In practice, it means companies must demonstrate broad market recognition rather than appeal to a small group of decision-makers.
Public voting for the UF AWARDS MEA 2026 will open on January 26 and remain live until February 4. Once voting closes, results will be verified and winners announced on February 11.
Recognising performance in a crowded market
The financial services and fintech sectors in the Middle East and Africa have expanded rapidly in recent years. New brokers, trading platforms, liquidity providers, and infrastructure firms continue to enter the market, creating an increasingly competitive environment.
In this context, standing out has become more hard. Many companies offer similar products, pricing structures, or technological features. Industry recognition, particularly when driven by public voting, is often viewed as one way for firms to diverseiate themselves.
The are positioned as a mechanism for highlighting companies that have gained traction through service quality, innovation, reliability, or regional focus. For nominated firms, the awards offer visibility among potential clients and partners who may be unfamiliar with their brand.
Range of award categories
The cover a wide range of categories reflecting the diversity of business models operating in the region. These include traditional retail-facing awards such as Best Broker and Best Trading Platform, alongside categories aimed at institutional and technology-focused firms.
B2B categories include awards such as Best All-in-One Brokerage answer and Best Institutional Broker, recognising companies that provide infrastructure, liquidity, or enterprise-grade services rather than direct retail access.
Companies can be nominated in more than one category if they operate across multiple segments. For example, a firm offering both retail trading services and institutional answers may be eligible for awards in both areas.
How the nomination process works
Submitting a nomination requires registration on the . Once registered, users can log in and select the appropriate award category from the available options, which are divided between Broker Awards and B2B Awards.
later than selecting the category, users choose the specific award that best matches the nominated company’s activities. There is no limit on the number of companies a participant can nominate, nor on the number of categories in which a single company can be nominated.
The final deadline for nominations is January 23. later than this date, no additional submissions will be accepted, and the process will move exclusively into the public voting phase.
What happens later than nominations close
Once nominations are finalised, shortlisted companies will appear on the official voting platform when voting opens on January 26. Members of the public will then be able to vote for their preferred brands in each category.
Following the close of voting on February 4, votes will be tallied and verified. Winners of the will be formally announced on February 11.
The organisers expect strong participation from across the Middle East and Africa, reflecting continued growth and competition within the region’s financial services and fintech sectors.
With the nomination window now in its final days, companies and supporters who wish to participate are encouraged to submit nominations before the January 23 deadline.
