The United Arab Emirates is strengthening its reputation as a resilient and trusted global financial gateway at a time when geopolitical tensions, de-globalisation and economic volatility are reshaping international capital flows.
Foreign direct investment into the UAE doubled between 2019 and 2024, reaching approximately USD40bn, signalling sustained global investor confidence and the country’s growing appeal as a stable capital destination.
In 2024, FDI represented around 40 per cent of the UAE’s gross capital formation, a proportion that exceeds many advanced economies and highlights the country’s strong reliance on international capital to drive expansion.
Investment momentum has accelerated significantly. The UAE recorded 1,362 FDI projects in 2024, reflecting sharp growth compared to 2020, while assets under management at DIFC climbed to USD700bn, underscoring its expanding global footprint.
The report indicates that the UAE is benefiting from shifting geopolitical alignments, leveraging its balanced foreign policy stance and regulatory agility to deepen trade and investment partnerships across multiple regions.
Beyond attracting capital, the research emphasises the UAE’s rising importance as a payments and transaction hub, supported by advanced infrastructure, regulatory clarity and increasing trust from multinational corporations.
