UAE New-Economy Firms Surge 37% to 125,000 by H1 2026, Driving Economic Growth
The number of new-economy companies in the UAE has increased by 37% year-on-year to nearly 125,000 by the first half of 2026, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism.
The UAE's new-economy sector has experienced significant expansion, with the number of companies reaching almost 125,000 by the end of the first half of 2026. This represents a substantial 37% increase from the previous year, as disclosed by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and co-chair of Investopia's board of trustees.
Defining the New Economy
New-economy firms are those built on technology, knowledge, and innovation, distinguishing themselves from traditional trade and hydrocarbon-dependent businesses. The UAE government has prioritised several key areas within this sector, including:
- Advanced technology
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Digital economy
- E-commerce
- Renewable energy
- Circular economy
- Green technologies
- Digital media and arts
- Financial technology (fintech)
- Smart mobility
Minister Al Marri emphasised that AI, in particular, acts as a cross-sectoral tool, boosting manufacturing, logistics, financial services, tourism, and energy efficiency.
Alignment with National Vision
This growth aligns with the 'We the UAE 2031' initiative, a ten-year roadmap launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This national plan, which follows Vision 2021 and precedes UAE Centennial 2071, focuses on four pillars: Forward Society, Forward Economy, Forward Diplomacy, and Forward Ecosystem. Key economic targets include increasing foreign trade to AED 4 trillion and raising tourism's contribution to GDP to AED 450 billion.
"The goal is to make the UAE a global hub by the end of the decade."
International Engagements and Investment
Investopia, an investment platform under the UAE government, is expanding its international focus, particularly in Africa. This includes efforts to build partnerships in infrastructure, financing, industrial capacity, and investment corridors. The UAE is a major investor in Africa, with outward FDI flows reaching $63.35 billion in 2025, and total investments between 2019 and 2023 exceeding $110 billion. Tourism is identified as one of the top five Emirati investment sectors on the continent, alongside energy, infrastructure, logistics, and real estate.
Questions, answered
- What defines a 'new-economy' company in the UAE?
- New-economy companies are those that base their business on technology, knowledge, and innovation, rather than traditional trade and hydrocarbon sectors. This includes fields like AI, digital economy, e-commerce, renewable energy, and fintech.
- What is the 'We the UAE 2031' initiative?
- It is a ten-year national roadmap launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, outlining the UAE's strategic direction across society, economy, diplomacy, and ecosystems, with goals like boosting foreign trade to AED 4 trillion and tourism's GDP contribution to AED 450 billion.
- Which sectors are prioritised for new-economy growth?
- The government has prioritised advanced technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, e-commerce, renewable energy, the circular economy, green technologies, digital media and arts, financial technology (fintech), and smart mobility.
- What role does Investopia play?
- Investopia is an investment platform run under the UAE government, co-chaired by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, focusing on identifying opportunities and building partnerships globally, particularly in Africa, across sectors such as infrastructure, financing, and investment corridors.
- How much has the UAE invested in Africa?
- Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE invested over $110 billion in Africa, ranking it fourth globally. Over $70 billion of this was directed towards green, energy, and renewable energy projects, with tourism being a top investment sector.
This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.
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