ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – In 2025, the UAE’s outward foreign direct investment reached a total of $63.353 billion, as reported by UN Trade and Development. By the end of the year, the nation’s total FDI stock abroad had grown to $402.729 billion, compared to $55.560 billion in 2010. This sharp increase highlights a significant rise in the value of UAE-owned investments overseas. The latest data underscores international investment as one of the country’s key channels for deploying capital globally and illustrates how much the overseas asset base has expanded over the past 15 years.
UAE’s investment footprint now covers six continents and 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 developed and emerging markets, with holdings and operational assets spread across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific. The investments involve sovereign funds, state-linked entities, and private firms, reflecting a broad geographic reach into several of the world’s leading investment markets.
The total for 2025 coincides with a broader recovery in global foreign direct investment. According to UN Trade and Development, worldwide FDI increased by 6% to $1.6 trillion following two years of decline. Investment into developed nations grew by 11%, reaching approximately $723 billion, while developing economies experienced a 2% rise to $901 billion. The top 20 host countries attracted more than 80% of global FDI. The report also notes that investment remains concentrated within a relatively small group of nations and sectors.
UAE’s global investment footprint encompasses major markets
Mubadala Investment Company is among the country’s largest international investors. North America accounts for 44% of its global portfolio, with over 80 direct investments and approximately $170 billion managed there. Europe makes up 15%, while Asia-Pacific represents 13%. Latin America and the Caribbean hold 1%. Mubadala’s investments span sectors such as technology, energy, healthcare, financial services, industrial enterprises, and infrastructure, illustrating the extensive geographic scope of one of the UAE’s major sovereign investors.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority also maintains a diverse geographic distribution. Its strategic allocations generally assign 45% to 60% of the portfolio to North America and 15% to 30% to Europe. Emerging markets account for a 10% to 20% range, with developed Asia comprising 5% to 10%. The Ministry of Foreign Trade links this broader overseas presence to the UAE’s international economic relationships and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements that facilitate trade and investment with partner nations.
Ports and logistics firms extend the UAE’s overseas reach
Ports and logistics companies serve as another indicator of the UAE’s overseas investment footprint. In 2025, AD Ports Group managed 34 ports and terminals across its domestic and international network. The company also maintained offices in over 50 countries and a commercial presence in 158 countries, either directly or through representatives. Its operations link port infrastructure with maritime transport, logistics, and economic zones along key 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 seven times, based on the latest UN data. The investments in 2025 spanned both established markets and developing regions across multiple industries. Meanwhile, the global FDI environment rebounded after two years of decline. UNCTAD’s 2026 report tracks annual investment flows and accumulated foreign investment stocks by economy, illustrating the scale of UAE capital abroad and the extensive reach of its international investment portfolio.