ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the UAE reported outbound foreign direct investment totaling $63.353 billion, as per UN Trade and Development. By the end of the year, the country’s total overseas FDI stock had climbed to $402.729 billion. This marks a significant increase from $55.560 billion in 2010, illustrating a rapid growth in the value of UAE investments abroad. The latest data underscores how international investment has become one of the country’s key avenues for deploying capital globally and highlights the expansion of the UAE’s overseas assets over the past 15 years.
As of 2025, the UAE’s investment footprint spans six continents and encompasses a diverse array of industries. These include energy, infrastructure, ports, logistics, technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, real estate, financial services, and healthcare. UAE capital extends into both developed and emerging economies, with holdings and operational assets across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific. This broad geographic reach involves investments by sovereign funds, state-affiliated entities, and private enterprises, covering some of the world’s largest investment markets.
The total for 2025 reflects a broader recovery in global foreign direct investment. According to UN Trade and Development, worldwide FDI increased by 6% to $1.6 trillion after two years of decline. Investment flows into developed economies grew by 11%, reaching approximately $723 billion, while developing economies saw a modest 2% rise to $901 billion. The top 20 host countries worldwide attracted over 80% of global FDI. The report also highlights that investment remains concentrated within a relatively small group of nations and sectors.
UAE investments reach key global markets
Mubadala Investment Company maintains one of the UAE’s largest international portfolios. North America accounts for 44% of its global holdings, with over 80 direct investments and approximately $170 billion managed there. Europe makes up 15%, while the Asia-Pacific region represents 13%. Latin America and the Caribbean together constitute 1%. Mubadala’s investments span sectors such as technology, energy, healthcare, financial services, industrials, and infrastructure, emphasizing the extensive geographic scope of this major UAE sovereign investor.
Similarly, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority maintains a diversified geographic distribution. Its long-term strategic allocations range from 45% to 60% for North America, 15% to 30% for Europe, 10% to 20% for emerging markets, and 5% to 10% for developed Asia. The Ministry of Foreign Trade links this overseas presence to the UAE’s international economic ties and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, which facilitate trade and investment with partner economies.
Ports and logistics firms expand their global footprint
Ports and logistics companies serve as another indicator of the UAE’s overseas investment reach. During 2025, AD Ports Group managed 34 ports and terminals across its domestic and international operations. The company also maintained offices in over 50 countries and established a commercial presence in 158 nations, either directly or through representatives. Its activities link port infrastructure with maritime transport, logistics, and economic zones along major trade routes. The group’s expansion covers regions including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Since 2010, the UAE’s outward investment stock has increased more than sevenfold, based on recent UN data. The 2025 investments span both mature markets and developing regions across various sectors. Concurrently, the global FDI environment experienced a return to growth after two years of decline. UNCTAD’s 2026 report provides insights into annual investment flows and accumulated foreign investment stocks by country, illustrating the substantial scale of UAE overseas capital deployment and the extensive reach of its international investment portfolio.