Dubai ranks No.1 globally for Greenfield FDI projects for fifth consecutive year in 2025

Dubai has reinforced its position as the world’s leading destination for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects for the fifth consecutive year, according to data published by the Financial Times Ltd’s fDi Markets database. In 2025, Dubai delivered one of its strongest inward FDI performances since 2015 with total announced greenfield FDI projects rising to 1,253, a 10.5% increase from 2024. Dubai also secured a record-high 7% share of global greenfield FDI projects, the highest in its history, according to the data.

The results further reinforce the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to double Dubai's economy by 2033 and consolidate its position as a leading global destination for business, investment, and innovation.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “Dubai’s sustained global leadership in attracting foreign direct investment reflects the confidence the world places in our economy, our institutions and our vision for the future. It is the outcome of a long-term strategy built on openness, connectivity, strategic partnerships and a commitment to creating the conditions for businesses to succeed. 

“We are proud of the trust that investors, entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world continue to place in Dubai. This confidence reflects the resilience of our economy, the strength of our fundamentals and our ability to constantly create new opportunities for growth.

“Dubai’s competitiveness is also built on our ability to anticipate change, adapt quickly and transform global shifts into growth pathways. As we strengthen our position as the preferred global destination for investment, we remain focused on creating long-term economic value and reinforcing Dubai’s role as a major player in the global economy. Our ambition is not only to attract investment, but to create an environment where the world’s brightest talent and most ambitious businesses come together to build the industries and opportunities of tomorrow.”

Strategic, future-focused sector leadership
Strengthening its position as a preferred global base for multinational corporations, Dubai retained the No.1 global ranking for headquarters greenfield FDI projects for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting sustained confidence in the emirate’s ability to support regional and international expansion. Dubai also maintained its global leadership in artificial intelligence-related greenfield FDI projects for the fourth year running, reinforcing its position as a centre for innovation-led growth and advanced technologies. 

Dubai also ranked No.1 globally across several strategic clusters, including ICT and electronics, creative industries, professional services, life sciences, consumer goods, financial services, industrial equipment, and environmental technology. For the first time, Dubai ranked No.1 globally in manufacturing FDI projects, marking a significant milestone in the city’s economic diversification journey and highlighting its growing role as an emerging cutting-edge manufacturing centre, directly aligned with the goals of the D33 Agenda.

Dubai also secured the No.1 global position in Transportation and Warehousing across projects, reflecting its continued strength as a global logistics and trade gateway.

Further, Dubai ranked first globally in several high-impact industries, including food and beverages, electronic components, healthcare, business machines and equipment, cleantech, metals and e-commerce. Notably, Dubai was the only destination city worldwide to attract more than 10 Greenfield FDI projects across several of these sectors, meeting the global ranking threshold and demonstrating the breadth of its diversified economic base and its ability to sustain investment momentum across both established and future-focused industries.

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Dubai’s ability to maintain its global leadership in Greenfield FDI attraction for the fifth consecutive year is a testament to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the continued confidence international investors place in the emirate. While global markets may have navigated significant challenges in recent months, Dubai entered this period with quantifiable momentum, attracting record levels of capital that provided a strong foundation for sustained growth. This is a clear reflection of the trust that investors and multinational corporations place in our future-ready ecosystem. 

“This performance underscores the strength of Dubai’s diversified economy, the depth of its public-private partnerships, and the efficacy of a well-defined forward-looking regulatory framework that continues to attract high-quality investment across priority sectors. These results further reinforce the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, highlighting Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most resilient investment destinations.”

Sustained capital inflows
Beyond the headline rankings, 2025 saw broad-based growth across capital deployment and project activity, underlining the continued strength and diversification of Dubai’s investment ecosystem. The city attracted $8.83 billion (AED32.43 billion) in greenfield FDI capital in 2025, according to the fDi Markets database. Greenfield FDI also supported the creation of 38,918 jobs in 2025, an 18.8% increase from 32,754 jobs in 2024. Performance during the year was also shaped by a mix of investment types, with continued momentum across greenfield projects, reinvestments, venture capital-backed activity, mergers & acquisitions and strategic expansions. 

In addition to retaining its No.1 global ranking in attraction of headquarter greenfield FDI projects, Dubai attracted investment across key business functions including business services; construction; retail; logistics, distribution and transportation; and manufacturing. This reflects investor confidence in Dubai’s ability to support diverse operational requirements, from regional headquarters and logistics hubs to advanced manufacturing and consumer-facing businesses. 

This diversity is particularly significant in the current global environment, reinforcing Dubai’s economic resilience and its ability to sustain investment momentum across multiple sectors and business models.

His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET, said: “The scale and quality of FDI inflows in 2025 reflect sustained global confidence in Dubai’s long-term growth trajectory. The continued inflow of capital investment is further evidence that investors are deepening their operational presence rather than adopting short-term positioning strategies. From headquarters and high-value manufacturing to AI, FinTech, logistics, and creative industries, the diversity and quality of investment flows demonstrate Dubai’s ability to anticipate structural shifts in the global economy. Investors recognise that Dubai offers a unique combination of agile regulation, world-class digital infrastructure, and access to top-tier global talent. As we continue to advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, deal activity and expansion momentum remain strong, reinforcing our outlook for accelerating momentum in 2026 and beyond.”

Strong economic fundamentals and proactive governance
Dubai’s strong economic fundamentals continue to support this momentum. Dubai's annual GDP reached AED937 billion in 2025 reflecting 5.4% growth for the year, with Q4 growth accelerating to 6.4%, demonstrating sustained expansion despite ongoing global market volatility.

Source markets and sectors
Dubai FDI Monitor data confirmed continued confidence from a diverse mix of international source markets, reinforcing the emirate’s role as a globally connected investment hub. Source markets varied across capital flows and project activity, reflecting broad-based investor confidence from North America, Europe, Asia, and the GCC. This geographic diversity of investment sources further positions Dubai as a strategic bridge between East and West, supported by world-class connectivity, trade facilitation reforms, and a regulatory environment that is both transparent and continuously modernised.

Sectoral performance remained broad-based, with strong investment activity across business services, hotels and tourism, transportation and warehousing, consumer products, real estate, software and IT services, and financial services, demonstrating continued momentum across both traditional and future-economy sectors. 

With 2026 in focus and a clear outlook for the years ahead, Dubai continues to be defined by its ability to translate ambition into action. Its pro-investment policies, together with a clear strategic direction, offer businesses and investors a platform where opportunity is matched by stability and long-term vision. Dubai will continue to create an environment where enterprises can scale, partnerships can thrive, and sustainable value can be realised, anchored by the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

Dubai has a proven track record of navigating periods of global economic disruption. Having consistently emerged stronger from previous crises, including the global pandemic, the emirate continues to embody institutional agility, policy responsiveness, and enduring investor confidence.

The recently announced AED2.5 billion economic incentive package reflects Dubai’s proactive approach to governance. Designed to ease financial pressures, enhance liquidity, and support business continuity across key sectors, the package includes fee deferrals across hospitality, trade, and licensing, extended customs grace periods, and streamlined residency permit processes to support global talent attraction and retention. These initiatives reinforce Dubai's commitment to maintaining an environment in which businesses can plan, invest, and grow with confidence. 

To find out more about Dubai’s FDI ecosystem, please visit: : www.dubaifdimonitor.ae and www.investindubai.gov.ae