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Emirates NBD Research reported that greenfield FDI inflows into the UAE reached $33.2 billion during 2025, a 78 percent increase from $18.66 billion the year before that lifted the country to 10th globally in capital attracted. The same assessment placed the UAE second worldwide in the number of new projects at 1,491, up 10.7 percent from 2024 and reflecting broad international interest in manufacturing, digital infrastructure and energy transition sectors. Dubai captured 81 percent of those projects while Ras Al Khaimah led in capital value, the report showed.
According to the Emirates NBD Research report India emerged as the largest capital contributor with $12.58 billion across 275 projects, propelled mainly by a single $10 billion smart manufacturing investment by Erisha E Mobility in Ras Al Khaimah focused on electric vehicles, hydrogen technology and semiconductors. The United States followed with $10.3 billion through 219 projects that included Microsoft data center expansions and the Stargate AI campus in Abu Dhabi. The United Kingdom recorded the highest project count at 291 but committed $1.16 billion, primarily in smaller technology and services ventures, while China, France, Kuwait, Hong Kong and Germany also featured among notable investors.
The Emirates NBD Research assessment found Dubai hosted 1,462 projects worth $8.45 billion, reinforcing its position as the world’s second-largest city recipient of greenfield FDI. Ras Al Khaimah drew $10.61 billion from only 17 projects, earning sixth place globally for capital inflows thanks to the landmark Indian investment. Abu Dhabi attracted 180 projects valued at $5.19 billion concentrated in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and advanced manufacturing, and Sharjah secured 46 projects worth $1.8 billion as it continued to diversify its industrial and services base.
Emirates NBD Research highlighted the automotive original equipment manufacturing sector as the top capital recipient with $10.29 billion across five projects, almost entirely accounted for by the Erisha facility that spans 25 million square feet. Communications ranked second with $9.93 billion from 40 projects driven by major commitments to AI and data center capacity from global technology companies. These concentrations underscore the depth of investor confidence in high-value, technology-intensive activities within the UAE economy.
The report from Emirates NBD Research noted that between 2021 and 2025 the UAE accumulated $98.4 billion in greenfield FDI across 5,603 projects, delivering a 32.3 percent compound annual growth rate in capital. During that span the number of foreign investing companies nearly tripled from 491 to 1,440, broadening the base of long-term commitments. Such sustained expansion has reinforced the UAE’s position among preferred destinations for productive international capital.
A separate analysis by the Financial Times fDi Markets database issued in June 2026 showed Dubai ranked first globally for greenfield FDI projects for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, attracting 1,253 initiatives that represented a record 7 percent of the worldwide total and created more than 38,900 jobs. The fDi Markets data also recorded $8.83 billion in capital for Dubai during the year, up from prior levels and aligned with gains in manufacturing and artificial intelligence categories. The UAE additionally maintained its lead in the fDi Intelligence Greenfield FDI Performance Index relative to economy size in preceding assessments.
