ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – According to UN Trade and Development, the UAE’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to $63.353 billion in 2025. By the end of that year, the country’s total FDI stock held abroad reached $402.729 billion. This marks a significant increase from $55.560 billion in 2010, reflecting a rapid growth in the value of UAE investments overseas. The latest figures highlight international investment as one of the nation’s primary methods for allocating capital globally. They also illustrate the substantial expansion of the country’s overseas asset base over the past 15 years.
The UAE’s investment footprint now extends across six continents and encompasses a diverse array of sectors. These include energy, infrastructure, ports, logistics, technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, real estate, financial services, and healthcare. Capital from the UAE reaches both advanced and emerging economies, with holdings and operational assets across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific. This extensive reach involves investments from sovereign funds, state-linked groups, and private enterprises, covering some of the world’s largest investment markets.
The 2025 total coincided with a broader recovery in global FDI activity. UN Trade and Development reported a 6% increase worldwide, reaching $1.6 trillion after two years of decline. Investment into developed economies grew by 11%, totaling about $723 billion, while developing economies experienced a 2% rise to $901 billion. Over 80% of global FDI was directed toward the top 20 host economies. The report also noted that investment remains concentrated within a relatively small group of countries and sectors.
UAE’s global investment presence spans key markets
Mubadala Investment Company stands out as one of the UAE’s largest international portfolios. It allocates 44% of its assets to North America, managing more than 80 direct investments and approximately $170 billion in that region. Europe accounts for 15%, while Asia-Pacific represents 13%. Latin America and the Caribbean make up 1%. Mubadala’s investments span sectors such as technology, energy, healthcare, financial services, industrials, and infrastructure, underscoring the extensive geographical reach of this major UAE sovereign investor.
Similarly, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority maintains a broad geographic distribution. Its long-term strategic ranges assign 45% to 60% of the portfolio to North America, with 15% to 30% allocated to Europe. Emerging markets account for 10% to 20%, and developed Asia comprises 5% to 10%. The Ministry of Foreign Trade has linked this broad overseas footprint to the UAE’s international economic relationships and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, which facilitate trade and investment ties with partner nations.
Ports and logistics companies enhance overseas reach
Ports and logistics providers serve as another indicator of the UAE’s overseas investment footprint. In 2025, AD Ports Group operated 34 ports and terminals across its domestic and international network. The company also maintained offices in more than 50 countries and held a commercial presence in 158 countries, either directly or via representatives. Its operations link port infrastructure with maritime transport, logistics, and economic zones across major trade routes. The group has expanded its presence across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Since 2010, the UAE’s outward investment stock has increased more than sevenfold, based on latest UN data. The investments in 2025 covered mature markets and developing regions across a variety of sectors. Meanwhile, the global FDI environment has resumed growth after two years of decline. UNCTAD’s 2026 report tracks both yearly investment flows and the accumulated foreign investment stocks by country. These figures reveal the magnitude of UAE capital already invested abroad and demonstrate the extensive scope of the country’s international investment portfolio.