Dubai Leads the World in Greenfield FDI with 643 Projects in H1 2025

BY THE ARAB TODAY Sep 25, 2025

Image Credit: Marco Ritzki / Shutterstock

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Dubai Leads the World in Greenfield FDI with 643 Projects in H1 2025

Dubai ranked first worldwide in attracting greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first half of 2025, with 643 projects—that’s 478 more than the city in second place, according to the Financial Times’ fDi Markets database.

Record Growth

This is the highest number of projects ever recorded in any city in a six-month period since fDi Markets started tracking in 2003. Dubai has now held the top spot for eight consecutive half-year periods.

The achievement supports Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the city’s economy by 2033 and place it among the world’s top three cities.

Dubai also moved up to third place worldwide for jobs created by FDI, an improvement from fourth place last year.

Hub for Global Headquarters

Dubai ranked No. 1 globally for FDI projects in multinational headquarters. These projects grew by 60%, from 20 in H1 2024 to 32 in H1 2025.

The emirate also secured first place across many key sectors, including ICT and electronics, creative industries, professional services, life sciences, consumer goods, financial services, industrial equipment, transport and logistics, and environmental technology.

Leadership Remarks

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, said the achievement shows Dubai’s forward-looking vision and its position as a leading global investment hub. He added that Dubai will keep offering a business-friendly environment and attractive incentives to support growth and partnerships.

Market Share & Capital Inflows

Dubai captured 8% of the global market and 56% of the Middle East’s greenfield FDI projects.
Total FDI projects in Dubai reached 1,090 in January–June 2025, up 28.7% year-on-year.
The emirate advanced to second place worldwide for total greenfield FDI capital, attracting $11 billion (AED 40.4 billion) in H1 2025—up 62% from $6.8 billion (AED 24.7 billion) in H1 2024.