Inside Dubai’s fourth consecutive global lead in greenfield FDI projects in the cultural and creative industries

In 2025, Dubai secured 754 greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in its cultural and creative sectors, ranking first among 233 cities for the fourth year running. These projects brought in $3.756 billion in announced investments and are set to create 19,304 jobs. Plus, Dubai came in second worldwide for capital invested in this area.

For context, Singapore had 197 projects, Riyadh had 157, Bengaluru had 132, and London had 227. The 713 projects that these four cities recorded collectively are still fewer than what Dubai accomplished on its own.

This accomplishment demonstrates how the concept of a creative economy is changing as more and more investment flows into fields that combine creativity, technology, intellectual property, and specialised business services.

What’s included in Dubai’s creative economy

Typically, creative industries bring to mind film, art, fashion, design, and entertainment. However, the 2025 investment figures reflect a wider array of activities.

There were projects across advertising, public relations, specialised computer programming, data processing, digital services, film, media, gaming, and AI-driven creative technologies. Other areas like professional services, creative education, architecture, logistics, crafts, performing arts, and cultural institutions were also part of the mix.

When examined, these domains are related to one another. A gaming company, for example, might integrate data, design, software, and storytelling all at once. Similarly, media and advertising companies rely more and more on these skills, particularly as AI changes how content is produced, distributed, and customised.

This combination helps to explain why Dubai has so many projects in the ranking. Nonetheless, analysing the annual fluctuations provides crucial context regarding Dubai’s performance in 2025.

Comparing 2025 to the previous year

In 2024, Dubai attracted 971 projects in the cultural and creative industries, drawing AED18.86 billion in investment and yielding 23,517 jobs. In contrast, the total for 2025 was about 22% lower, with capital dropping to around AED13.8 billion and employment decreasing by roughly 18%. Those 2024 figures came from the Government of Dubai Media Office.

So, it seems investment activity slowed a bit in 2025. Still, Dubai stayed comfortably ahead of other cities in the rankings and held onto its second spot globally for capital inflows into the sector.

Different aspects of the situation are depicted by these two sets of numbers. While the ranking evaluates Dubai’s performance in comparison to other cities globally, the annual totals show how activity within the city changed.

Instead of merely acquiring local businesses, greenfield FDI refers to the establishment of new operations or the expansion of existing ones. The capital and employment figures reflect declared or projected commitments because the fDi Markets database monitors announced cross-border projects.

With projects and funding from several important economies, Dubai maintained its position as the world leader despite a decline in investment activity.

Sources of investment

With 19% of the total, India was the leading source of capital in 2025. The UK came in at 9%, China at 13%, Malaysia at 12%, and the United States at 17.5%. The order changes slightly when it comes to project numbers. With 21.5%, the UK was in the lead, closely followed by India (21%), the US (14%), and France (4%).

These numbers illustrate various aspects of investing. India contributed the largest share of capital, while the UK produced the greatest number of new projects. When taken as a whole, these numbers link Dubai’s creative industries to investment markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Companies from these regions are stepping into a business environment that Dubai has been shaping through its policies, infrastructure, and targeted support for creative endeavours.

Dubai’s supportive framework

Launched in 2021, the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy aimed to enhance the legislative and investment climate, attract global talent, and boost the sector’s economic contribution. The goal was to increase the share of creative industries in Dubai’s GDP from 2.6% in 2020 to 5% by 2025. More details about this strategy were shared back in 2021.

The Creative Dubai report later revealed that the sector generated AED21.96 billion in added value in 2022, which is about 4.6% of Dubai’s GDP. It also identified 47,544 companies and 175,727 employees in the creative fields, according to the Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics. Those findings were published by Dubai Culture in December 2024.

Complete foreign ownership, specialised business districts, long-term residency options for talent, simplified company formation procedures, and cutting-edge digital and logistical infrastructure accompany all of these initiatives. Businesses can oversee regional operations from a single location thanks to Dubai’s excellent international connectivity.

As more international businesses, seasoned professionals, and specialised service providers establish themselves in the city, these benefits not only facilitate market entry but also increase competition.

Implications for international companies

For companies entering Dubai, there’s a growing pool of potential clients, suppliers, investors, and business partners. Even those outside the creative industries can tap into local expertise in software, media, design, data, and digital customer engagement. However, companies will still need to understand regional consumers, adjust their products and messaging, find the right talent, and establish trustworthy local connections.

The 754 projects recorded in 2025 reflect decisions by global companies to either set up or expand their operations in Dubai. The true long-term economic impact will depend on how many of these projects evolve into sustainable businesses, create skilled jobs, generate intellectual property, and market their products and services both regionally and internationally.