- The UAE secured the 10th spot globally for FDI inflows in 2024.
- It attracted a record $45.6 billion, a 48% increase from the previous year.
- It led the MENA region with 37% of FDI inflows and ranked second worldwide in new greenfield projects.
The United Arab Emirates ranked 10th globally as a top destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) for last year 2024, attracting a record-breaking AED 167.6 billion ($45.6 billion) in inflows.
The figure represents a 48% year-on-year increase, according to the newly released World Investment Report 2025 from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, hailed the achievement as “an international vote of confidence” in the UAE’s economy. He credited the country’s resilience and vision to the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
Key Findings from the UNCTAD Report
The UNCTAD report shows the UAE significantly outpacing global trends. UAE accounted for 37% of all FDI inflows into the MENA region. It also ranked second globally, after the United States, in the number of newly announced FDI projects, with 1,369 greenfield initiatives in 2024.
While global greenfield project growth slowed to 0.8%, the UAE surged ahead with a 2.8% increase, reaching AED 53.3 billion ($14.5 billion) in announced greenfield capital.
“This achievement reflects the strategic choices made by our leadership and positions the UAE as a premier investment destination,” said Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment.
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Technology, Energy, and Services Drive FDI Growth
Key sectors underpinning the FDI surge include:
- Software and IT services (11.5% of announced project values)
- Business services (9.7%)
- Renewable energy (9.3%)
- Oil, gas, and coal (9%)
- Real estate (7.8%)
The energy sector alone attracted AED 4.8 billion ($1.3 billion) in greenfield investment, aligned with national goals to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Long-Term Vision: AED 1.3 Trillion by 2030
As part of its National Investment Strategy 2031, the UAE aims to attract AED 1.3 trillion in FDI over the next six years. The strategy targets AED 2.2 trillion in cumulative FDI by 2031, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, green energy, financial services, and IT, driven by sustainability and innovation.
The Ministry of Investment has played a pivotal role by creating a flexible regulatory environment. It streamlines licensing processes and enhances investor protections. The UAE’s investor-friendly policies include:
- 100% foreign ownership in mainland companies
- 9% corporate tax rate
- Robust legal frameworks, such as the Dubai International Arbitration Centre
- Talent attraction, ranking 5th globally in skilled talent and 3rd in AI talent
The UAE has also inked 21 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements and 120 bilateral investment treaties, strengthening its global ties.
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Digital Economy and Innovation
Major initiatives, such as the $1.5 billion joint venture between Microsoft and Abu Dhabi-based G42 to advance AI, highlight the country’s drive toward digital transformation.
These efforts position the UAE not just as an FDI hub but as a center for technological leadership and innovation.
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Source: https://coinedition.com/uae-top-10-fdi-ranking-unctad-report-2025/