UAE: The UAE surged to 10th place worldwide in 2024 FDI inflows, attracting $45.6bn with a 48% rise, driven by record greenfield projects and renewable energy investments, while targeting AED1.3 trillion inflows by 2030 as part of a national growth strategy.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has cemented its status as a global investment powerhouse by ranking 10th worldwide in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows for 2024. According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2025, the UAE attracted AED167.6 billion ($45.6 billion), reflecting an impressive 48% year-on-year increase. This surge underscores the UAE’s dominant role in the Middle East, where it accounted for 37% of regional FDI, translating to $37 out of every $100 invested in the area channelled into the Emirates.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, hailed this achievement as a “vote of confidence” in the nation’s economy. He emphasised the ambitious target of attracting AED1.3 trillion ($354 billion) in FDI over the next six years, framing development and economic stability as the cornerstones of national policy.
A critical driver of the UAE’s FDI influx is its remarkable performance in greenfield investment projects, whereby new enterprises establish operations from the ground up. The UAE ranked second globally after the United States with 1,369 new greenfield projects valued at AED53.3 billion ($14.5 billion), outperforming global growth trends significantly. Key sectors attracting investment include software and IT services, business services, renewable energy, oil, gas, coal, and real estate. Notably, renewable energy investment of AED4.8 billion ($1.3 billion) reflects the country’s ambition to triple its renewable capacity by 2030.
This strategic focus on sustainable and diversified growth is part of the broader National Investment Strategy 2031, which aims to elevate cumulative FDI stock to AED2.2 trillion ($599 billion). Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi underscored the government’s commitment to building a transparent, stable, and competitive business environment tailored to investor needs. The strategy prioritises sectors such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, financial services, and information technology.
The UAE’s appeal as an investment destination is bolstered by structural reforms and incentives. These include full foreign ownership of mainland companies, a competitive 9% corporate tax rate, streamlined business setup processes, and robust legal frameworks like the Dubai International Arbitration Centre. Additionally, the UAE has fostered extensive global trade networks through 21 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) and over 120 bilateral investment treaties, enhancing its global investment footprint.
Talent competitiveness is another pillar of the UAE’s strategy. It ranks fifth worldwide in talent competitiveness and third in attracting AI talent, supported by high-profile partnerships such as the $1.5 billion AI joint venture between Microsoft and Abu Dhabi-based G42. This highlights the UAE’s growing prominence in digital innovation.
Beyond inflows, the UAE’s overseas investments have also soared, with an estimated value exceeding $2.5 trillion by early 2024. This places the country as a leading global investor, with substantial engagements in over 90 countries. Key recipients of Emirati capital include the United States, Egypt, the UK, India, and Morocco. A landmark $35 billion investment deal with Egypt exemplifies the UAE’s strategic international investment footprint.
The resilience and expansion of the UAE’s FDI ecosystem were also illustrated by the issuance of 200,000 new economic licences in 2024 and the operation of over 1.1 million companies nationwide. Sectors such as financial services, industrial equipment, transportation, and storage have contributed to a 7.5% increase in jobs created and a 31% rise in announced projects. Emerging sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and cloud computing remain critical drivers of investment growth.
Policy initiatives such as the NextGen FDI programme aim to accelerate licensing, enhance visa schemes including golden visas, and offer commercial incentives to advanced technology firms. These efforts collectively aim to sustain the UAE’s position as the leading investment destination in the Arab world while achieving comprehensive global development and economic diversification. With these robust foundations, the UAE is well-placed to maintain its upward trajectory in global FDI rankings and meet its ambitious 2031 investment goals.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://thefinanceworld.com/uae-ranks-10th-globally-for-fdi-with-45-6b-inflows-in-2024/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/uae-leads-arab-world-and-middle-east-in-foreign-direct-investment-1.1718969468839 – The UAE has been ranked second globally, following the United States, in the number of new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects recorded last year, according to a report by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report, which analyses FDI trends across 200 economies, highlights the UAE’s robust performance despite a global downturn in FDI flows. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, noted that the UAE saw a significant 35 per cent increase in FDI inflows last year, totalling approximately Dh112 billion, placing it 11th globally. This achievement aligns with the country’s strategic goals for 2030. Additionally, the UAE leads in the Arab world, West Asia, and the Middle East in both inward and outward investments. The cumulative balance of inward FDI reached Dh828 billion, while the total for outgoing investments stood at Dh965 billion. Sheikh Mohammed emphasised confidence in the UAE’s investment potential, stating that many around the world are choosing to invest in the UAE with their capital, skills, and resources. He pledged continued support to those who place their trust in the UAE and affirmed the nation’s commitment to developing the finest investment environment globally.
- https://www.gulftoday.ae/business/2025/03/01/uae-consolidating-its-position-as-strategic-destination-for-fdi – The UAE has solidified its position as one of the world’s most preferred investment destinations, successfully attracting foreign direct investments that have boosted its cumulative balance. In 2024, the UAE issued 200,000 new economic licences across various economic activities, with more than 1.1 million companies and economic institutions operating in its markets. According to data from the Ministry of Investment, the total new and announced capital inflows of foundational Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2023 reached $16 billion, reflecting the UAE’s status as a preferred destination for international investors. The UAE continues to attract significant foundational investments from various countries, highlighting its dynamic business environment and strategic economic initiatives that create job opportunities, drive innovation, and support sustainable growth. Sectors such as financial services, industrial equipment, transportation, and storage have also played a significant role in foundational investment growth, leading to a 7.5% increase in total jobs created, a 31% rise in announced projects, and a 37% surge in total announced foundational foreign direct investment inflows. Emerging sectors, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and cloud computing, have made significant contributions to the UAE’s economic growth and created major investment opportunities. The UAE’s diversified economy and its business-friendly environment for sustainable growth have enabled it to maintain its position as the leading investment destination in the Arab world and the region while achieving comprehensive global development. This is reflected in the record growth of FDI inflows, which increased by 35% to reach Dhs112.6 billion in 2023, according to the 2024 World Investment Report issued by UNCTAD. The UAE has set an ambitious target to attract Dh550 billion ($150 billion) in foreign investment by 2031 and rank among the top 10 countries globally in terms of attracting FDI, as part of its economic diversification strategy. It has unveiled several initiatives and policies, from allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies to more flexible visa programmes, aiming to attract capital and talent to the country. In July 2022, the UAE also unveiled the NextGen FDI programme, which seeks to speed up licensing, increase the issuance of bulk or golden visas, improve banking services and provide commercial and residential lease incentives for advanced technology companies seeking to relocate to the country. The country’s comprehensive economic partnership agreements are also aimed at enhancing bilateral investments. The UAE has signed Cepas with India, Cambodia, Georgia, Israel, Indonesia and Turkey, and plans to sign 26 deals in total, officials say.
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2024/01/17/uae-ranks-second-globally-for-greenfield-fdi-in-2023/ – The UAE ranked second after the US for greenfield foreign direct investment last year, as project announcements in the Emirates rose by 28 per cent, bolstering its position as a worldwide FDI hub despite global economic uncertainties, a UN report has said. Greenfield FDI flows into Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s biggest economy, also jumped by 63 per cent last year, according to the report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development, released on Wednesday. In West Asia, FDI remained stable (up 2 per cent) due to continued buoyant investment in the UAE, the Global Investment Trends Monitor report said. The UAE has set an ambitious target to attract Dh550 billion ($150 billion) in foreign investment by 2031 and rank among the top 10 countries globally in terms of attracting FDI, as part of its economic diversification strategy. It has unveiled several initiatives and policies, from allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership of companies to more flexible visa programmes, aiming to attract capital and talent to the country. In July 2022, the UAE also unveiled the NextGen FDI programme, which seeks to speed up licensing, increase the issuance of bulk or golden visas, improve banking services and provide commercial and residential lease incentives for advanced technology companies seeking to relocate to the country. The country’s comprehensive economic partnership agreements are also aimed at enhancing bilateral investments. The UAE has signed Cepas with India, Cambodia, Georgia, Israel, Indonesia and Turkey, and plans to sign 26 deals in total, officials say.
- https://www.agbi.com/economy/2024/06/uae-ranks-second-in-global-greenfield-fdi-projects/ – A 33 per cent year-on-year surge in greenfield FDI projects in the UAE catapulted the Emirates up two places to the second spot after the US in 2023. There are now 1,323 greenfield FDI project announcements, state-run Wam news agency reported, citing the World Investment Report 2024. The UAE attracted FDI inflows of $30.7 billion last year, compared to $22.7 billion in 2022, a 35 per cent growth. The report, released by UN Trade and Development, showed that FDI outflows fell 10 per cent to $22.3 billion in 2023, compared to $24.8 billion in 2022. This year the UAE has improved its position in the IMD’s latest World Competitiveness Ranking, rising three places to seventh, up from 10th in 2023 and 12th in 2022. The list, compiled by the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland, saw the UAE ranked second for employment and third for international trade. In May fDi Markets said that Dubai is the world’s top location for “greenfield” foreign direct investment for the third consecutive year. Some 1,070 greenfield FDI projects, where a company sets up in a foreign country, building its facilities from the ground up, were reported in Dubai in 2023.
- https://www.middleeastbriefing.com/news/uaes-overseas-investments-soars-to-estimated-us2-5-trillion-by-2024/ – As of early 2024, the UAE’s overseas investments have surpassed US$2.5 trillion, solidifying its position as a leading global player in FDI. Among these investments, one landmark deal is the historic US$35 billion investment agreement with Egypt for the development of Ras Al Hekma. At the beginning of 2024, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) firmly established itself as a leading global player in foreign direct investments (FDI). By the first few months of this year, the total value of Emirati overseas investments, encompassing both government and private sectors, stood at an estimated US$2.5 trillion. This places UAE at the forefront among nations in the Arab region and West Asia, and second globally in investing in new opportunities. This positive performance in overseas FDI establishes the UAE as a pivotal player on the global economic stage. The UAE’s international economic engagements are evident through its active participation in various strategic partnerships, alliances, cross-border deals, and acquisitions. H.E. Jamal Saif Al Jawan, Secretary-General of the UAE International Investor Council (UAEIIC), revealed that the UAE’s global investment reach currently extends to 90 countries. In his recent declaration, key investment destinations highlighted include: The United States, which tops the list, and where the UAE has made substantial investments totaling US$65 billion in bonds and US$50 billion in FDI. This accounts for more than half of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s assets. Following closely is Egypt with around US$65 billion in investments. UK and India each pull in US$40 billion in FDI. Morocco received US$30 billion in investments. Al Jawan placed particular emphasis on Egypt during his speech, highlighting the UAE’s recent landmark deal with the country for a
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent data on the UAE’s FDI inflows for 2024, with the earliest known publication date being June 19, 2025. The report cites the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2025, indicating a high freshness score. However, similar information has appeared in other reputable outlets, such as Reuters, which reported on global FDI trends on June 19, 2025. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/global-investment-decline-may-worsen-due-tariffs-un-trade-agency-warns-2025-06-19/?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the data is current, the narrative may be republished content. Additionally, the report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The inclusion of a press release typically warrants a high freshness score, as it provides the most recent information directly from the source. However, the presence of similar content across multiple outlets raises questions about the originality of the narrative.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they have been used in earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. The wording of the quotes appears consistent across sources, with no significant variations noted. This consistency suggests that the quotes are directly sourced from the press release, which is typical for official statements. However, the reuse of these quotes across multiple outlets raises questions about the originality of the content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Finance World, a source that is not widely recognized or verifiable. This raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented. The report cites the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2025, a reputable source, which adds credibility to the data. However, the lack of a verifiable source for the narrative itself diminishes its overall reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding the UAE’s FDI inflows and its global ranking are plausible and align with recent reports from reputable sources. The narrative includes specific figures and quotes that are consistent with information from other outlets. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the presence of similar content across multiple sources raise questions about the originality and potential disinformation in the narrative. The tone and language used are consistent with official statements, which is typical for such reports.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent data on the UAE’s FDI inflows for 2024, citing the UNCTAD World Investment Report 2025. However, similar information has appeared in other reputable outlets, suggesting potential reuse of content. The source of the narrative, The Finance World, is not widely recognized or verifiable, raising concerns about its reliability. While the claims are plausible and align with recent reports, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the presence of similar content across multiple sources raise questions about the originality and potential disinformation in the narrative.
