The UAE’s real estate sector continues to demonstrate robust performance in 2025, driven by the resilience of both oil and non-oil sectors alongside a surge in foreign investment inflows. Growth has been recorded across residential, commercial, and industrial property segments, positioning the market for sustained momentum throughout the year.

Latest reports from global real estate specialists confirm the sustainability of the UAE’s economic momentum in 2025, highlighted by the launch of major real estate projects, record-breaking sales figures, and rising occupancy and rental rates across multiple sectors, a WAM report said.

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Ismail Al Hammadi, Founder and CEO of Al Ruwad Real Estate, highlighted the strength of the market: “Property transactions across all emirates demonstrate significant growth and sustained momentum, underscoring the sector’s strength and investor confidence.”

Al Hammadi pointed to Dubai’s property market as a particular standout. “Dubai’s real estate transactions continue to show remarkable growth, reflecting the emirate’s global appeal to investors. Some projects scheduled for delivery within three years sell out in just one or two weeks, something rarely seen anywhere else in the world.”

Saeed Abdulkareem Al Fahim, CEO of Stratum Owners Association Management, echoed this optimism. “The UAE property market is witnessing remarkable activity and growth, especially in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Demand continues to increase across a wide range of properties, from luxury units to mid-range housing.”

Market highlights from CBRE and industry reports

According to CBRE’s UAE Real Estate Market Review Q2 2025, the sector’s resilience is supported by the country’s robust economy, an improved growth outlook, a rebound in oil production, and rising foreign investment.

Residential markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain highly active, with strong off-plan launches underpinned by sustained investor demand. Office markets in both cities are also experiencing rising occupancy and robust rental growth. Meanwhile, the industrial sector is attracting increasing international investor and developer interest, particularly in key logistics assets, driving rental growth.

Dubai’s residential market continued its upward trajectory into July 2025, as reported by Betterhomes, which cited data from Property Monitor and client insights. The market is seeing rising transaction volumes and steady demand across both off-plan and secondary sales and rentals.

Supporting these observations, W Capital Real Estate reported that property sales in Dubai reached an unprecedented Dhs100bn from January 1 to March 4, 2025. This milestone was reached earlier than in previous years, March 22 in 2024 and April 11 in 2023, signalling accelerating market activity.

Dubai’s property sales grew by 40 per cent in the first half of 2025, reaching Dhs326.64bn compared to Dhs233bn in the same period last year. Knight Frank, a leading independent real estate consultancy, noted the historic pace with which Dubai surpassed Dhs100bn in sales by early March, emphasizing the emirate’s rising momentum.

Adding to Dubai’s global stature, the city retained its position as the world’s busiest market for homes priced above $10m for the second consecutive year in 2024. The emirate recorded 435 sales in this ultra-luxury bracket, almost equal to the combined total sales in London and New York.

Strategic initiative: First-time home buyer programme

In a move aimed at broadening access to homeownership, Dubai recently launched the First-Time Home Buyer Programme, marking a strategic milestone for the city’s real estate evolution. This initiative complements other innovations such as tokenised real estate and reinforces the government’s commitment to building a sustainable property market.

Led by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the programme is backed by 13 major developers and five banks. It offers first-time buyers priority access to new property launches priced up to Dhs5m, according to CBRE’s market review.

Available to both UAE nationals and residents, the programme is designed to stimulate end-user demand and encourage long-term occupancy. It seeks to rebalance the market, which has seen an increasing share of off-plan buyers who are non-residents in recent years.

Key incentives include preferential pricing, tailored mortgage solutions, and flexible fee payment options. These aim to ease affordability pressures following five consecutive years of solid price gains.

While the full impact is yet to be realised, industry experts expect the programme to encourage more residents to transition from renting to owning. This shift could stimulate demand for home acquisitions and potentially soften current leasing market dynamics, which have contributed to rising living costs across the emirate.

Balanced growth amid emerging challenges

The UAE’s economy continues to show strong momentum, with growth forecasts for 2025 upgraded amid a rebound in oil production, robust non-oil sector performance, and rising foreign investment. However, geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainties pose potential downside risks.

Residential markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi remain highly active, with off-plan launches in Q2 2025 backed by sustained investor demand that continues to support price growth. That said, early signs of moderation in sales and rental values are emerging in certain communities, suggesting a potential softening after years of rapid increases.

Office markets in both cities maintain high occupancy and strong rental growth, driven by limited new supply and steady demand from finance, technology, and other key sectors.

Tourism, a vital pillar of the UAE economy, continues to show year-on-year growth in visitor numbers. This supports strong hotel performances nationwide, reinforcing the sector’s role in economic diversification and non-oil growth.

The retail sector, however, is grappling with a shortage of available space across prime malls, resulting in continued rental growth. The limited pipeline for new retail supply suggests a sustained landlord’s market for the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, the industrial sector remains resilient, with rising interest from international investors and developers. Prime logistics assets continue to experience rental growth, buoyed by the expanding role of the UAE as a regional logistics hub.

NIO, a global premium smart electric vehicles company, has opened its first NIO Hub in the UAE, located on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road. The new facility brings together every essential user touchpoint under one roof — from product showcases and test drives to vehicle delivery, aftersales reception, and lifestyle engagement — positioning itself as a fully integrated ecosystem for new and existing customers.

“NIO Hub | Dubai represents an important step in our regional journey. It is more than just a retail concept – it’s a complete ecosystem that reflects our vision of smart, user-centric mobility, offering customers not just vehicles, but a premium, integrated lifestyle experience. Choosing Sheikh Zayed Road for our first NIO Hub in the UAE was intentional. It’s a statement of confidence and ambition, placing us alongside the world’s top automotive brands and signals our commitment to this dynamic and rapidly evolving market,” said Mohammed Maktari, chief executive officer, NIO MENA.

Designed by NIO’s global in-house space design team, the 772-square-metre facility features a 433-square-metre showroom and a 339-square-metre delivery centre. It can display up to five vehicles, with three handover bays for personalized user deliveries, alongside consultation rooms, an aftersales reception, and a NIO Power experience zone showcasing the brand’s charging and battery-swapping technologies.

Read: Dubai to install 200 ultra-fast EV stations in residential, retail areas

The hub also houses the NIO Café, operated by Orto — a contemporary Emirati brand known for its CoffeeLounge concept. Orto Café aims to create a space for community, collaboration, and creativity, reflecting NIO’s focus on blending technology with culture.

“The launch of the NIO Hub is a proud milestone for us in the UAE. It brings together every aspect of the NIO experience; technology, service, hospitality, and community, in one unified destination. We have already succeeded in setting new standards of smart electric mobility in the UAE and look forward to deepening our relationship with new and existing users through our new landmark facility,” said Roberto Lopes Da Silva, general manager, NIO UAE.

The opening marks a key milestone in NIO’s regional expansion strategy, reinforcing the company’s ambition to lead the premium electric mobility sector in the UAE and set new benchmarks for smart, sustainable transportation.

Dubai Investments, a diversified investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM), has signed a strategic agreement with Angola’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (FSDEA) to jointly develop large-scale real estate projects in Luanda Province.

The partnership marks a shared vision to drive a new cycle of investment in modern urbanisation and sustainable development across the Angolan capital. The first phase will focus on the development of Cazanga Island within the Luanda Archipelago, creating new opportunities for urban, residential, and tourism-led projects.

Khalid Bin Kalban, vice chairman and CEO of Dubai Investments, signed the agreement with Armando Manuel, chairman of the board of FSDEA, in the presence of Angola’s Secretary of State for Urban Planning, Manuel Canguezeze, who represented the Minister of Public Works and Urbanism.

Commenting on the deal, Khalid Bin Kalban said: “This is an important milestone for Dubai Investments as the Group expands its footprint internationally. Dubai Investments first entered the Angolan market with the development of DIP Angola, an integrated mixed-use hub inspired by the Group’s highly successful flagship development in the UAE. This agreement with FSDEA marks the Group’s second venture in the country and provides a strong platform to further extend Dubai Investments real estate expertise. With a 30-year legacy of delivering ambitious projects, the Group is proud to contribute to the development of modern, sustainable communities in Luanda and reinforce its commitment to supporting Angola’s urban development journey.”

Read: UAE, Angola sign CEPA to boost trade and investment

Armando Manuel, chairman of FSDEA, added: “The signing of this agreement strengthens the Sovereign Wealth Fund’s commitment to mobilizing international capital and know-how for the development of high-impact real estate and tourism projects in the country. We believe that the real estate sector, combined with tourism, has tremendous potential to transform the urban profile of our capital, enhancing its natural resources, coastline, and rich cultural heritage.”

Angola’s Secretary of State for Urban Planning, Manuel Canguezeze, said: “This agreement is very important as it will add value to the area and bring architectural and scenic quality to the capital city. It will also bring real estate investment that will improve the quality of properties that the city of Luanda needs.”

As part of the agreement, FSDEA will participate through a special purpose vehicle holding land rights for designated areas. Dubai Investments will contribute its development expertise to transform these sites into modern, sustainable communities, unlocking value for Angola’s urban growth and tourism potential.

The partnership highlights Dubai Investments’ growing global presence and reflects the UAE’s broader vision of strengthening cross-border partnerships that drive sustainable growth, investment diversification, and urban innovation.

The global healthtech sector is entering a period of accelerated growth, and investors are seeking the next wave of transformative opportunities. At the heart of this momentum is the Investor Programme at WHX Tech, set to take place from 8–10 September 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

This exclusive platform has been designed specifically for angel investors, venture capitalists, family offices, LPs, and corporate investors to connect with pioneering digital health and medtech startups. With over 60 investors confirmed—collectively managing more than $2.6tr in assets under management (AUM)—the programme is shaping up to be one of the most influential gatherings for investment in the healthcare technology space.

Among the high-profile investors joining are Lee Shapiro, managing partner at 7wire Ventures; Ida Beerhalter, co-head of IOME; Fadilah Tchoumba, CEO of ABAN; Vusi Thembekwayo, CEO of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners; and Faisal Aftab, CEO and founder of Zayn VC. Their participation underscores the scale and diversity of capital being directed into healthtech innovation.

The Investor Programme offers far more than access to pitches. Participants benefit from curated deal flow, tailored one-to-one meetings with aligned founders, and strategic networking with fellow investors. By bringing together early- and growth-stage startups across AI-driven healthcare, biotech, medtech, and digital health, the platform creates fertile ground for syndication, co-investment, and long-term partnerships.

A key highlight running in parallel is Xcelerate, WHX Tech’s signature startup competition. Complementing the investor sessions is the Xcelerate startup competition, which shines a spotlight on emerging companies redefining digital health. Across three days, 38 finalists will pitch their ideas live on stage to a panel of world-class judges. The finale, taking place on the closing day, will showcase the very best of this year’s cohort. Founders in fields ranging from AI and robotics to wearables and digital health will battle it out before a panel of world-class judges, culminating in a high-energy finale on the last day of the event.

For investors, Xcelerate provides a front-row seat to the next generation of healthtech disruptors, enabling them to identify promising ventures at their earliest stages. The live competition not only demonstrates the innovation pipeline but also offers direct insight into how these entrepreneurs are tackling some of healthcare’s most pressing challenges.

As global healthtech adoption accelerates, events like WHX Tech serve as critical bridges between capital and innovation. For investors, it’s a rare opportunity to combine access to top-tier startups with strategic networking and deal-making in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for healthcare technology.

With its combination of exclusive investment pathways and live startup showcases, the Investor Programme and Xcelerate are set to be standout features of WHX Tech 2025—opening the doors for digital health innovators to shape the future of global healthcare.

Register here.

The UAE is set to experience unstable weather conditions this week due to the influence of both surface and upper-level low-pressure systems extending from the south, along with the northward movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

A moist air mass from the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman is being drawn towards the country. Combined with rising daytime temperatures and the presence of the eastern mountains, these conditions are leading to the formation of convective clouds over scattered regions, a WAM report conveyed.

Read more- Cloud seeding in focus as UAE readies for cooler weather

Weather disturbances are forecast to affect eastern and southern parts of the country, extending into some internal areas. Convective cloud development is expected on Wednesday and Thursday, potentially bringing rainfall of varying intensities. Thunder, lightning, and small hail

Winds will range from southeasterly to northeasterly, generally moderate but could become fresh to strong during periods of convective activity. This may stir up dust and sand, reducing visibility. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman are expected to remain slight to moderate.