The United Arab Emirates recorded outward foreign direct investment of $63.353 billion (AED232.66 billion) in 2025, according to UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data. The figure measures investment overseas, covering capital directed from the UAE into foreign businesses.
The country’s outward FDI stock reached $402.729 billion (AED1.479 trillion) at the end of 2025, compared with $55.560 billion (AED204.04 billion) in 2010. Those figures put the year-end stock at more than seven times its 2010 level, reflecting the scale of the UAE’s accumulated direct investment abroad.
UNCTAD’s statistical guidance explains that FDI includes equity investment, reinvested earnings and transactions between related enterprises.
Fund Disclosures Show Where Capital Is Held
Mubadala’s disclosures provide a closer view of the geographic distribution behind the UAE’s overseas investment presence. Its portfolio overview assigns 44% to North America, 15% to Europe and 13% to Asia-Pacific. Latin America and the Caribbean account for 1%, alongside 24% in the UAE and 3% classified as multigeography.
The Abu Dhabi investor reports more than 80 direct investments and $170 billion (AED624.33 billion) in assets under management in the region. Its holdings span life sciences, technology, consumer businesses, industrial companies, energy and financial services.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority publishes its geographic exposure differently. Its 2025 Review sets long-term strategic allocation ranges of 45%–60% for North America, 15%–30% for Europe, 10%–20% for emerging markets and 5%–10% for developed Asia.
ADIA also reported changes to its asset-class ranges in 2025. Private equity increased to 15%–20% from 12%–17%, while financial alternatives rose to 7%–12% from 5%–10%. Real estate declined to 2%–7% from 5%–10%.
Ports Connect Investment With Overseas Operations
The corporate footprint extends beyond investment portfolios into businesses that operate transport and logistics infrastructure. AD Ports Group’s 2025 annual report records offices in more than 50 countries and a commercial presence in 158 countries through representatives. It also lists 34 ports and terminals across the UAE and international markets.
Its logistics activities cover Europe, South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Africa. The report identifies the integration of Spain-based Noatum, whose businesses include logistics, ports and maritime services, as part of the group’s international expansion.
UAE investments span six continents and include energy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, real estate, healthcare and financial services.
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.”
Global Recovery Remains Uneven
The UAE figures sit within a broader recovery in international investment. In its release accompanying the World Investment Report 2026, UNCTAD reported that global FDI rose 6% to $1.6 trillion in 2025, ending two consecutive years of decline. The organization nevertheless described the recovery as fragile and uneven.
Investment inflows into developed economies increased 11%, compared with 2% growth in developing economies. UNCTAD said the world’s 20 largest host economies attracted more than 80% of global FDI. Much of the increase reflected a limited number of large projects, particularly in AI-related digital infrastructure.
UNCTAD also cautioned that higher headline investment figures do not automatically translate into new factories, infrastructure or employment. Its assessment emphasizes whether investment adds productive capacity, transfers technology and develops skills, alongside the amount of capital recorded in cross-border transactions.
The organization’s outlook for 2026 identifies trade-policy uncertainty, financing costs and economic fragmentation as continuing risks.
