Kuwait Financial Centre

شركة المركز المالي الكويتي
BB RatingFinancial ServicesMain Market Financial Services2025 AssessmentBB (stable)
www.markaz.comMSM v2.1· 154 Criteria
BB
Mnakh Rating
56.6
/ 100
Environmental20%
3.90
39% achievement · 4 subcategories
-0.45 vs 2023
Contributes 7.8 / 20
Social30%
5.60
56% achievement · 5 subcategories
-1.85 vs 2023
Contributes 16.8 / 30
Governance50%
6.40
64% achievement · 5 subcategories
-0.30 vs 2023
Contributes 32 / 50
BB · 56.6
CC
0–29.99
CCC
30–39.99
B
40–49.99
BB
50–59.99
BBB
60–69.99
A
70–79.99
AA
80–89.99
AAA
90–100
Sector Rank
#13 / 21
/ 21 · Financial Services
Overall Rank
#23
of 46 assessed
Strongest Pillar
G 6.40
Governance · 64%
R&C Deduction
0.00
No controversies
Sector Peers — Financial ServicesTop 5 of 21
1
National Bank of Kuwait
87.8
AA+
2
Kuwait Finance House
82.7
AA
3
Burgan Bank
82.3
AA
4
Boursa Kuwait
81.9
AA
5
Boubyan Bank
80.2
AA
Key Findings

Executive Summary

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) demonstrates a governance-led ESG profile, with its strongest performance in business ethics, anti-corruption, and regulatory compliance, underpinned by CMA and Boursa Kuwait oversight, a Three-Line-of-Defense risk model, 100% AML training, and zero reported violations. Its fifth standalone GRI-based sustainability report with double materiality assessment shows mature reporting discipline, though it lacks external assurance and broader framework alignment (SASB/TCFD/ISSB). Social performance is solid, with a zero-harm safety record, strong local procurement (89.65%), responsible procurement policy with supplier ESG screening, and comprehensive training, though quantified community investment and pay equity disclosure are absent. Environmental performance is the weakest pillar: Scope 1 and partial Scope 3 emissions are disclosed with GHG Protocol methodology but Scope 2 is entirely omitted, and there are no intensity targets, renewables data, TCFD alignment, or comprehensive water/waste tracking. The most material governance gap is board diversity, with a fully male, all-Kuwaiti board that does not meet the 30% female representation threshold.

Strengths

Comprehensive board-overseen ethics and anti-corruption program with a formal Code of Conduct, zero-tolerance anti-bribery policy, whistleblowing mechanism reporting to the Chairman/Board, 100% AML and data-security training, and zero confirmed corruption incidents.
Robust regulatory compliance and risk governance under CMA and Boursa Kuwait, with a Three-Line-of-Defense model, GDPR-aligned data privacy policies, and zero fines, restatements, or regulatory violations.
Strong responsible supply chain and social practices, including 89.65% local procurement, a Responsible Procurement Policy with supplier ESG screening, a zero-harm safety record, and comprehensive training with ESG-specific content.

Areas for Improvement

Environmental disclosure gaps: report Scope 2 emissions, establish quantified GHG/energy/water/waste reduction targets, adopt intensity metrics and renewable energy, and pursue external assurance of GHG data.
Board and workforce diversity: the all-male board fails the 30% female representation threshold; establish gender diversity targets, disclose pay equity, and add female directors.
Climate risk maturity and sustainable finance: adopt TCFD-aligned climate risk assessment and scenario analysis, and develop dedicated green finance products with impact reporting, targets, and PRI/SPO verification.
Performance Overview
Subcategory Radar
14subcategories · 0–10
E1E2E3E4S1S2S3S4S5G1G2G3G4G5
20252023
Pillar Contribution
of 56.60 total
56.6
Total
Environmental
7.8 / 20 · 13.8%
Social
16.8 / 30 · 29.7%
Governance
32 / 50 · 56.5%
Subcategory Treemap
Size = weight · Color = pillar
G17
Transparency & ESG · W:15
G26.5
Compliance with ESG · W:10
G36
Sustainable Finance & · W:10
G45
Board Diversity & · W:10
S15
Community Investment & · W:9
S35.5
Diversity, Inclusion & · W:9
E14
Carbon Emissions Reduction · W:8
E24
Energy Efficiency & · W:6
S26
Workplace Well-being & · W:6
G58
Ethics & Anti-Corruption · W:5
E33.5
Climate Change Adaptation · W:4
S46
Education & Sustainability · W:3
S56.5
Sustainable Supply Chain · W:3
E44
Water & Waste · W:2
Pillar Details
3.90
out of 10
Achievement39%
Contribution7.8 / 20
Weight20%
Subcategories4
E1
Carbon Emissions Reduction
4
▲+0.5 vs 2023
/10
Weight: 8
40% achievement
E2
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
4
2023: 4
/10
Weight: 6
40% achievement
E3
Climate Change Adaptation
3.5
-2.0 vs 2023
/10
Weight: 4
35% achievement
E4
Water & Waste Management
4
-1.0 vs 2023
/10
Weight: 2
40% achievement
Score Calculation
1
Pillar Scores
E: 3.90
S: 5.60
G: 6.40
Weighted averages (0\u201310)
2
Apply Weights
56.60
(3.90×2)+(5.60×3)+(6.40×5)
E:20% S:30% G:50%
3
R&C Deduction
0.00
No controversies
4
Final Score
56.60
Range: 50–59.99
Rating
BB
Mnakh Index Rating
ESG Activities
Activity Summary
4 activities in 2026
Environmental
1
Social
1
Governance
2

Recent Activities

View all →
GG114 Jul 2026

Markaz Publishes Fifth Sustainability Report for 2024-2025

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) published its fifth sustainability report on 14 July 2026, covering the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025. The report was prepared in accordance with GRI Standards and aligned with the UN SDGs, New Kuwait Vision 2035, and Boursa Kuwait ESG disclosure requirements. Markaz issued the report as a voluntary act of disclosure covering its environmental, social, and governance performance over the reporting period.

5th sustainability report Report edition1 Jan 2024 – 31 Dec 2025 Reporting periodGRI Standards Framework
SS4S15 Jul 2026

Markaz Sponsors UNICODE 2026 Coding Bootcamp for Kuwaiti Youth

Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) is serving as strategic sponsor of CODED's UNICODE 2026 coding bootcamp, which will train 400 university students from July to November 2026 in software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and financial technology. Markaz has sponsored the program since 2024 in partnership with CODED, Boursa Kuwait, and Boubyan Bank; UNICODE has trained more than 750 students since 2021 with a graduation rate above 80%.

400 Students to be trained (2026 edition)July–November 2026 Program duration750+ Total students trained since 2021
CODED, Boursa Kuwait, Boubyan Bank
EE218 Apr 2026

Markaz Achieves LEED Gold Certification for Nada Tower

Kuwait Financial Centre Co (Markaz) announced that Nada Tower, an asset within its open-ended real estate fund, received LEED Gold certification under the LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance system in Q1 2026, making it the first residential building in Kuwait to achieve this rating. The certification followed an independent technical assessment covering operational performance, resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and continuous improvement in operations and maintenance. The achievement reflects the company's approach to embedding sustainability standards into its asset management strategy.

LEED Gold Certification levelLEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance (Existing Buildings) Certification systemQ1 2026 Certification period
GG48 Apr 2026

Markaz Holds Annual General Assembly

Kuwait Financial Centre Co (Markaz) held its Ordinary Annual General Assembly on April 8, 2026, with 72.7% attendance. The assembly approved all agenda items including the Board's recommendation to distribute 8% cash dividends of nominal share value.

72.7% Attendance rate8% Dividend rate8 fils Dividend per share
Methodology: MSM v2.1 · 154 CriteriaAssessment: 2025Weights: E:20% · S:30% · G:50%