⬇ PDF download: Dubai maintains No.1 spot for greenfield FDI projects globally, sets record with AED52 billion capital inflows

Dubai maintains No.1 spot for greenfield FDI projects globally, sets record with AED52 billion capital inflows

• According to data from the Financial Times, Dubai has set a new record with the highest single-year FDI capital value (up by 33.2%) of AED52.3 billion.
• This success continues to attract global investors and entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Dubai.
• The emirate ranked third globally and first in the MEA region for jobs created through inward FDI in 2024, generating a total of 58,680 jobs.

Dubai has once again secured its status as the world’s leading city for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in 2024, according to data from the Financial Times Ltd.’s ‘fDi Markets’. This achievement marks the fourth consecutive year it has held this title.

In total, the emirate recorded 1,117 greenfield FDI projects, achieving a record single-year FDI capital value of AED 52.3 billion. This represents a 33.2% year-on-year (YoY) increase from AED 39.26 billion in 2023. Additionally, records show that Dubai announced a total of 1,826 FDI projects last year.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, shared such remarkable achievements through his official social media channels and website. He attributed Dubai’s outstanding FDI performance to the visionary leadership of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler. He stated:

For the fourth year in a row, Dubai has been ranked as the world’s top destination for Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects, according to Financial Times Ltd.’s ‘fDi Markets’ data. In 2024, the emirate attracted 1,117 Greenfield FDI projects worth over AED52… pic.twitter.com/DdaTyFXrtt

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) March 9, 2025

Inside Dubai’s lucrative business environment

In 2024, the city launched 50 new headquarters (HQ) FDI projects, securing its place as the world’s top destination in this category for the third consecutive year. Several investment types have greatly influenced this growth, reflecting increased investor confidence in innovative financial models and strategic expansion opportunities. Key trends include:

• New Forms of Investments (increased by 23%)
• Venture Capital-backed FDI (climbed by 39%)
• Reinvestments (grew by 98%)
• Mergers and Acquisitions (rose by 8%)

These developments reinforce Dubai’s appeal as a top choice for foreign investment, offering a strong environment for entrepreneurs looking to expand or start their businesses.

Key economic corridors, sectors, and business segments

Dubai’s continued dominance in greenfield FDI is reinforced by a combination of rising capital inflows, project expansions, and an increasing number of companies selecting the emirate as their headquarters. As a result, the emirate climbed to third place globally in 2024 while maintaining its No.1 position in MEA.

Subsequently, the number of announced FDI projects in the city increased to 1,826 in 2024 (up 10.67% from the previous year), this growth translated into substantial employment gains. Dubai has remarkably generated 58,680 jobs through FDI, with key industries benefiting from this job creation: 

1. Business Services
2. Software and IT Services
3. Real Estate
4. Transportation and Warehousing
5. Financial Services
6. Industrial Equipment
7. Consumer Products
8. Communications

Data from the Dubai FDI Monitor highlights the top industries driving capital inflows, which accounted for 53% of total estimated FDI capital in 2024:

1. Hotels and Tourism (14%)
2. Real Estate (14%)
3. Software and IT Services (9.2%)
4. Building Materials (9%)
5. Financial Services (6.8%)

In terms of project announcements, the top five sectors accounted for 68% of total FDI projects:

1. Business Services (19.2%)
2. Food and Beverages (16.5%)
3. Software and IT Services (14.3%)
4. Textiles (9.6%)
5. Consumer Products (8.3%)

Dubai’s international appeal consistently brings in investment from major global economies, with these five countries leading in FDI capital inflows:

1. India (21.5%)
2. United States (13.7%)
3. France (11%)
4. United Kingdom (10%)
5. Switzerland (6.9%)

Similarly, the nations driving the highest number of project announcements were:

1. United Kingdom (17%)
2. India (15%)
3. United States (14%)
4. France (4.5%)
5. Italy (4%)

It is also worth noting that Dubai’s share of global FDI projects in Advanced Information Technologies (AIT) rose from 7.3% in 2023 to 8% in 2024. This development places emphasis on its strong technology sector. Furthermore, Dubai retained the No.1 ranking in attracting Greenfield FDI projects in financial services, headquarters, real estate, and AI.

Takeaways for investors and entrepreneurs

With a 6.2% share of the global greenfield FDI market and 55% of the Middle East’s greenfield FDI projects, Dubai is getting closer to being an international hub for investment and business ventures. For investors and entrepreneurs looking to maximise Dubai’s FDI growth, the available data offers essential insights.

Multinational corporations can capitalise on the emirate’s reputation as a global headquarters location by entering advanced sectors such as AI, financial services, and industrial manufacturing. Meanwhile, SMEs can benefit from the rise in VC-backed investments and reinvestment opportunities, particularly in high-growth areas like software and IT services, food and beverages, and e-commerce.