Dubai Leads Global FDI With Record USD 14.2 Billion Capital

Dubai has retained its position as the world’s leading destination for Greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects for the fourth consecutive year, according to data from the Financial Times’ fDi Markets.

In 2024, the emirate attracted AED 52.3 billion (USD 14.24 billion) in estimated FDI capital, marking a 33.2% increase from the previous year. A record 1,117 Greenfield FDI projects were recorded, the highest in Dubai’s history. The total number of announced FDI projects reached 1,826, reflecting an 11% rise from 2023.

The influx of investments contributed to the creation of 58,680 new jobs, an increase of 31% compared to the year before. Dubai’s rise as a global investment hub has been linked to long-term strategic planning and policies aimed at fostering innovation, digital infrastructure, and startup growth.

The city also advanced to fourth place globally for Greenfield FDI capital in 2024, up from fifth in 2023, while maintaining its position as the top destination in the Middle East and Africa. Additionally, Dubai moved from fourth to third place worldwide in job creation through FDI.

Several key sectors have played a crucial role in attracting investment, including business services, software and IT services, real estate, transportation and warehousing, financial services, industrial equipment, consumer products, and communications. The emirate also ranked first globally in attracting headquarter (HQ) FDI projects, securing 50 such investments in 2024.