UAE Outward Foreign Direct Investment Reaches $63.353 Billion in 2025
The Emirates has solidified its standing as a premier global investor, with outward FDI flows reaching $63.353 billion in 2025 and cumulative stock exceeding $402 billion, reflecting strategic diversification across six continents and multiple economic sectors.
The United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen its position as a consequential international investor, having built a sophisticated and geographically expansive portfolio spanning six continents and encompassing strategic sectors including energy, infrastructure, ports and logistics, technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, real estate, financial services and healthcare.
According to the latest analysis from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), outward foreign direct investment flows from the UAE reached US$63.353 billion in 2025. The country’s cumulative outward FDI stock stood at US$402.729 billion at year’s end, representing substantial growth from US$55.560 billion recorded in 2010. This expansion occurs within a context where global FDI flows reached US$1.6 trillion in 2025, as documented in UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026.
The geographical distribution of UAE capital reflects carefully calibrated diversification strategies. In North America, investments focus on technology, energy and industrial sectors, with Mubadala Investment Company maintaining a 44 per cent portfolio allocation to the region, encompassing more than eighty direct investments and US$170 billion in assets under management. European and Asian markets receive continued attention, with Europe accounting for 15 per cent of Mubadala’s holdings and Asia-Pacific for 13 per cent, whilst Latin America and the Caribbean represent 1 per cent. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority pursues a complementary strategy, with long-term allocations ranging from 45 to 60 per cent for North America, 15 to 30 per cent for Europe, and 10 to 20 per cent for emerging markets.
Across Africa, the UAE has established itself as the continent’s largest investor over the preceding four years, with capital directed towards logistics, ports, energy and infrastructure. Australian and Pacific investments similarly emphasise logistics and energy sectors, extending UAE commercial influence to geographically distant markets.
Prominent examples of international expansion include DP World, which operates across more than eighty countries through a network exceeding 590 business units, and AD Ports Group, which operates offices in more than 50 countries and maintains commercial presence in 158 nations, managing 34 ports and terminals across the UAE and internationally.
Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, characterised UAE investment strategy as grounded in economic openness and the creation of enabling environments that permit investors to exploit opportunities across diverse markets. He emphasised that Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements support two-way investment flows and that the UAE adopts responsible approaches to international investment, pursuing not merely financial returns but positive outcomes for host economies.
Industry observers note that UAE capital has become increasingly sophisticated and globally distributed, with sovereign wealth funds and family offices establishing long-term strategic positions in high-potential markets, increasingly acting as partnership builders rather than capital providers alone.
Source: WAM