Brief
UAE outward FDI hits Dh232.7 billion in 2025, UNCTAD reports
UNCTAD says the UAE’s overseas investments grew to $63.35 billion in 2025, expanding its global portfolio.
By Felo News Desk · Published
According to UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the United Arab Emirates’ outward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows reached $63.353 billion (Dh232.7 billion) in 2025.
What happened
The report shows the UAE’s outward FDI stock ended the year at $402.729 billion (Dh1.48 trillion), up from $55.56 billion (Dh204 billion) in 2010. Investments spanned six continents and covered sectors such as energy, infrastructure, ports, logistics, technology, artificial intelligence, industry, real estate, financial services and healthcare.
What the reports add
UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2026 notes that global FDI flows totalled $1.6 trillion (Dh5.9 trillion) in 2025, making the UAE the largest investor in Africa. The report also details the geographic split of sovereign portfolios: Mubadala Investment Company’s North‑American holdings account for 44 percent of its portfolio, Europe 15 percent, Asia‑Pacific 13 percent and Latin America and the Caribbean 1 percent. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority allocates 45‑60 percent to North America, 15‑30 percent to Europe, 10‑20 percent to emerging markets and 5‑10 percent to developed Asia.
What was said
Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, said the UAE had built a broad, geographically diversified investment presence and was strengthening cooperation with other countries to open new markets. Dawood Al Shezawi, Chairman of AIM Global Foundation, described UAE capital as increasingly sophisticated, diversified and globally distributed.
How it came about
The surge reflects years of strategic sovereign‑wealth fund activity, including investments by Mubadala, ADIA, DP World and AD Ports Group, which together operate in dozens of countries and manage assets worth hundreds of billions of dirhams.
Key facts
- UAE outward FDI flows reached $63.353 billion (Dh232.7 billion) in 2025 (gulfnews.com)
- UAE outward FDI stock stood at $402.729 billion (Dh1.48 trillion) at year‑end (gulfnews.com)
- Mubadala’s portfolio is 44 % in North America, 15 % in Europe, 13 % in Asia‑Pacific, 1 % in Latin America/Caribbean (gulfnews.com)
- ADIA allocates 45‑60 % to North America, 15‑30 % to Europe, 10‑20 % to emerging markets, 5‑10 % to developed Asia (gulfnews.com)
- Fahad Al Gergawi said the UAE’s investment presence is broad and geographically diversified (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “UAE Strengthens Global Investment Presence with Dh232. 7 Billion FDI in 2025”
