Dubai Ranks Global Leader in Greenfield FDI for Fifth Consecutive Year, Fuels Startup Ecosystem Growth

Dubai has cemented its status as a premier global hub for business, attracting significant foreign direct investment and fostering a robust startup environment. For the fifth year in a row, the emirate led the world in greenfield FDI projects in 2025, according to data from the Financial Times fDi Markets database.

FDI Inflows and Job Creation

These greenfield FDI projects collectively brought in US$8.83 billion in capital and were responsible for the creation of 38,918 jobs, representing an 18.8% year-on-year increase. Dubai also demonstrated its leadership in specific sectors, ranking first globally for headquarters greenfield FDI projects for the fourth consecutive year, and similarly leading in artificial intelligence-related greenfield projects.

The cultural and creative industries also saw substantial success, drawing 754 greenfield projects and US$3.76 billion in capital for the fourth year running, underscoring the emirate's diversified economic appeal.

Thriving Startup Ecosystem

Investor confidence is evident in the burgeoning startup scene. The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy actively supported the establishment and expansion of 1,690 digital startups during 2025, marking a 39.7% year-on-year growth. Notably, international companies constituted 75% of these new ventures.

Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, highlighted Dubai's commitment to simplifying the business journey for entrepreneurs, connecting them with essential services, partners, investors, and customers. Initiatives like a two-year program by Dubai Chambers to accelerate Agentic AI adoption further demonstrate the focus on future-ready industries.

Market Entry Support and Regulatory Environment

Dubai offers a highly attractive environment for market entry, characterised by 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and more than 20 specialised free zones. Practical guidance is provided through resources like the Dubai Startup Guide 2025, covering legal frameworks, visas, funding, and support services.

The 'Business in Dubai' platform, offering 65 value-added services through seven accredited partners, further streamlines operations for companies. The government actively engages with the business community, with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce reviewing 54 laws and draft laws in 2025, adopting 60% of private-sector recommendations to ensure a responsive legislative environment. This advocacy supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the emirate's economy by 2033.

To facilitate scaling, Dubai Founders HQ was launched in October 2025, bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem enablers. This initiative aims to help 30 startups become unicorns and 400 SMEs expand by 2033, reinforcing Dubai's commitment to supporting businesses at every stage.