The UAE’s overseas investment footprint now spans major markets across six continents, with the country’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI) flows reaching US$63.353 billion in 2025, according to UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data.
The UAE’s outward FDI stock stood at US$402.729 billion at the end of 2025, compared with US$55.560 billion in 2010, WAM reported.
The investments cover a wide range of sectors, including energy, infrastructure, ports and logistics, technology, artificial intelligence, industry, real estate, financial services and healthcare.
North America takes major share
North America is one of the biggest destinations for UAE investment.
Mubadala Investment Company’s portfolio has 44% allocated to the region, with more than 80 direct investments and US$170 billion in assets under management.
UAE investments across North America include technology, energy and industry.
Europe accounts for 15% of Mubadala’s portfolio, while Asia-Pacific represents 13%. Latin America and the Caribbean account for 1%.
Across Europe and Asia, UAE investments include renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, technology, industry, real estate, life sciences and healthcare.
UAE investment expands across emerging markets
The UAE’s investment footprint also extends across Africa, Southeast Asia, South and Central America, Australia and the Pacific.
Investments in Africa include ports, logistics, energy and infrastructure, while Australia and the Pacific have attracted UAE capital in logistics and energy.
Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, said the UAE had built a broad and geographically diversified international investment presence, supported by a clear approach to strengthening cooperation with other countries and developing economic and trade partnerships that open new markets and opportunities for national investments.
He said the UAE’s approach is based on economic openness and creating an enabling environment that allows investors to capitalise on opportunities across different markets.
Ports and logistics extend UAE reach
The international expansion of UAE companies is particularly visible in ports and logistics.
DP World operates in more than 80 countries through a network of more than 590 business units.
AD Ports Group, meanwhile, operated its own offices in more than 50 countries by the end of 2025 and had a commercial presence in 158 countries through direct operations or representatives.
The group had 34 ports and terminals in the UAE and internationally.
Investment links work both ways
The UAE’s overseas investment expansion is also being supported by its network of international economic partnerships.
Al Gergawi said Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) support two-way investment flows, allowing capital to move both into the UAE and from the UAE into partner economies.
He also said the UAE had become the largest investor in Africa over the past four years.
Dawood Al Shezawi, Chairman of AIM Global Foundation, said UAE capital had become increasingly sophisticated, diversified and globally distributed, with sovereign wealth funds and family offices establishing long-term strategic positions in markets including Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
He said UAE investors were increasingly acting as partnership builders rather than simply providers of capital, drawing on governance expertise, regulatory knowledge and institutional networks to support cross-border initiatives.
UAE investment continues to diversify
UNCTAD reported global FDI flows of US$1.6 trillion in 2025, putting the UAE’s overseas investment activity within a broader expansion of international capital flows.
The scale and geographic spread of UAE investments show how the country’s capital is being deployed across both developed and emerging markets, while its economic partnerships are also being used to encourage investment in both directions.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
