ABU DHABI / RankWire.AI / – According to UN Trade and Development, the UAE’s outward foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to $63.353 billion during 2025. By year-end, the country’s total outward FDI stock had increased to $402.729 billion. This marks a significant rise from $55.560 billion in 2010, highlighting a substantial growth in UAE investments held abroad. These overseas assets now span major developed economies, emerging markets, and a wide array of industries worldwide.
The UAE’s international investment portfolio encompasses sectors such as energy, transport, technology, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, and real estate. Infrastructure projects, ports, and logistics services also play a key role in the country’s global presence. These holdings are supported by sovereign investors, state-linked corporations, and private firms, with assets distributed across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions. These figures demonstrate the UAE’s prominent position as a major source of cross-border investment capital.
Global foreign direct investment experienced a resurgence in 2025, with UN Trade and Development estimating worldwide FDI at approximately $1.6 trillion, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year. Developed nations attracted about $723 billion, which is an 11% rise. Meanwhile, developing economies drew roughly $901 billion, up by 2%. The world’s top 20 host economies received over 80% of the total global investment flows. These figures reveal that, despite the overall growth, international investment remains concentrated in a few leading countries.
Sovereign investors maintain diverse global holdings
Mubadala Investment Company maintains a significant portion of its global portfolio in North America, which accounts for 44% of its total investments and includes more than 80 direct holdings. Mubadala reports managing approximately $170 billion in assets across North America. Europe makes up 15%, while Asia-Pacific accounts for 13%. Latin America and the Caribbean represent an additional 1%. Their investments span technology, energy, healthcare, industry, finance, and infrastructure sectors across multiple key markets.
Similarly, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority allocates capital across various regions with strategic targets: 45% to 60% of assets are directed toward North America, 15% to 30% toward Europe, 10% to 20% toward emerging markets, and 5% to 10% toward developed Asia. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade has also emphasized the country’s growing network of international economic partnerships through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements, which facilitate trade and investment ties with numerous partner economies.
Transport and logistics firms expand overseas footprint
AD Ports Group exemplifies the UAE’s extensive international commercial reach. In 2025, the company operated 34 ports and terminals across both domestic and international markets. Its presence extended through offices in more than 50 countries, and its broader commercial network reached 158 nations either directly or via representatives. The group’s operations include ports, maritime transport, logistics services, and economic zones, covering several trade corridors across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Since 2010, the UAE’s outward FDI stock has increased more than seven times, with the latest data indicating total overseas investments exceeding $400 billion in 2025. UAE capital now reaches mature economies as well as emerging markets across diverse industries. After two years of decline, global investment flows also saw an uptick. The combined data of annual outflows and accumulated foreign assets illustrates the scale of UAE investors’ foreign holdings and offers a clear view of the country’s expanding international investment footprint.