Abu Dhabi’s economy has shown strong growth in 2024, with the emirate’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 3.8 per cent year-on-year, according to preliminary data released by the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD).

The growth, which reached an all-time high of Dhs1.2tn, is largely attributed to the continued expansion of the non-oil sector, which recorded a 6.2 per cent increase and now accounts for 54.7 per cent of the total GDP.

This marks the third consecutive year that both total GDP and non-oil GDP have reached record values, underscoring the success of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification efforts.

Non-oil economy drives growth in Abu Dhabi

The non-oil sector has remained the primary engine of economic growth, with its added value reaching Dhs644.3bn in 2024.

Key sectors such as manufacturing, construction, finance, insurance, and information and communication contributed significantly to this growth. Manufacturing alone contributed 9.5 per cent to the total GDP, achieving Dhs111.6bn in value, while the construction sector saw an 11.3 per cent growth rate, contributing Dhs107.4bn.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), credited the steady growth to the emirate’s forward-thinking policies and proactive responses to global economic challenges. “The consistent, remarkable performance of the Falcon Economy is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s forward-thinking economic strategies, progressive policies, and proactive response.”

He added that with a record-breaking Dhs1.2tn GDP and 6.2 per cent growth in non-oil sectors, the growth reinforces Abu Dhabi’s status as a rising “economic powerhouse”.

Strategic economic policies yield results

The robust performance of the non-oil sector reflects the success of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Diversification 2.0 strategies, which aim to transform the economy into a smart, diversified, and sustainable model.

The financial and insurance sector grew 10.7 per cent, contributing Dhs77.8bn to the economy, while the information and communication sector achieved a record value of Dhs32.2bn 6.6 per cent from the previous year.

Abdulla Gharib Alqemzi, director-general of SCAD, highlighted the success of these diversification strategies, noting that non-oil activities now contribute 54.7 per cent to GDP, a record high. “This milestone reflects our commitment to fostering an investment-friendly environment and empowering high-growth sectors,” he said.

Key sectors show strong performance

Other sectors also showed notable growth. The wholesale and retail trade sector achieved Dhs62.7bn in value, contributing 5.3 per cent to GDP. Meanwhile, the transportation and storage sector saw the highest growth rate among all industries, expanding by 16.9 per cent, driven by significant infrastructure investments and increased trade activity.

The sector’s contribution to GDP reached Dhs27.8bn.

The real estate sector grew by 4.2 per cent, contributing Dhs41.7bn to the economy, while education and health sectors achieved their highest-ever values, underlining Abu Dhabi’s focus on human capital development. Education reached Dhs20.4bn, and health reached Dhs7bn in 2024.

Quarterly performance remains strong

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Abu Dhabi’s GDP grew by 4.4 per cent, with the non-oil economy expanding by 6.6 per cent.

The non-oil sector’s contribution remained steady at 54.7 per cent, continuing its record-high share of total GDP.

Autogo, a UAE-based autonomous mobility solutions company, has announced the launch of its RoboTaxi service trials in Abu Dhabi.

The company, operating under Kintsugi Holding, has announced the launch in preparation for full-scale operations by 2026.

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The launch aligns with a strategic partnership with Apollo Go, the autonomous mobility subsidiary of Baidu, one of the world’s leading companies in large-scale self-driving transportation.

The launch aims to bring next-generation mobility technologies to the streets of Abu Dhabi.

RoboTaxi: Features and functions

RoboTaxi vehicles offer a smart and seamless transportation experience, designed to meet the needs of modern cities and their residents. With advanced electric design and AI-driven systems, the vehicles ensure precise and consistent driving with real-time responsiveness to surrounding conditions.

The RoboTaxi ensures safety on the roads by reducing human-related driving errors. Its fully electric operation also makes it a more sustainable option, helping to reduce emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and contribute to reimagining the future of smart cities.

The sixth-generation RT6 RoboTaxi was specifically developed for autonomous ride-hailing services. It features a safer, smarter, and more comfortable design.

As the first company in China to offer fully autonomous ride-hailing, Apollo Go continues to integrate AI, big data, and automation to support the development of future smart cities.

Operational trials for RoboTaxi

The operational trials are being carried out in coordination with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) to ensure that the service aligns with local transport strategies, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure requirements as part of the emirate’s efforts to enhance smart mobility.

“The launch of RoboTaxi trials in Abu Dhabi marks the beginning of a large-scale transformation in urban mobility. RoboTaxis serve two key goals: enhancing road safety and achieving more sustainable transportation,” said Sean Teo, Managing Director of Kintsugi Holding.

Autogo and Apollo Go will also work together to test performance in real-world environments, engage with the public, and prepare for broader deployment of the technology across Abu Dhabi by 2026.

Apollo Go, also known as Luobo Kuaipao, is Baidu’s platform for autonomous ride-hailing services. It is one of the leading global companies in this field. Its fleets have logged over 150 million kilometers of autonomous driving with a strong safety record. By March 2025, it had exceeded 10 million autonomous ride orders.

Emaar has revealed the date for the final show of the Dubai Fountain before its refurbishment.

The iconic fountain, located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, will perform its last show on April 19, 2025, before temporarily closing for a comprehensive restoration aimed at preserving its brilliance.

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The fountain has become a defining symbol of Dubai’s creative prowess, drawing millions of visitors from around the world with its stunning synchronised performances of water, light, and music.

The upcoming renovation will preserve the fountain’s spectacular displays, ensuring it continues to mesmerise and inspire visitors for years to come.

Submerged within the 30-acre Burj Lake at the foot of Dubai Mall, the fountain features powerful water jets strategically positioned across an area the length of two football pitches. It can jet up to 22,000 gallons of water as high as 140 meters in the air at any given time.

“Dubai Fountain stands as a reflection of Dubai’s bold vision and its ability to captivate and inspire on a global scale. This restoration underscores our commitment to maintaining its legacy as a beacon of creativity and excellence. We look forward to welcoming guests back to experience the fountain in all its renewed splendor,” said Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar.

While the Dubai Fountain undergoes its scheduled maintenance, visitors can continue to enjoy the vibrant experiences of Downtown Dubai. From world-class shopping and dining at Dubai Mall to awe-inspiring views of Burj Khalifa, the area remains a dynamic hub for both tourists and residents alike.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is boosting its logistics infrastructure with a strategic Dhs90m investment in the second phase of its Logistics Park.

The expansion will add 360,000 square feet of Grade-A facilities to the existing infrastructure.

This move aligns with the UAE’s goal to grow its logistics sector to Dhs200bn annually within the next seven years and reinforces Dubai’s position in global trade.

Jafza’s Logistics Park to several features

The second phase will offer world-class infrastructure, including modern offices, customisable units, temperature-controlled warehouses, loading docks, and enhanced power capacity to support various industries.

Abdulla Al Hashmi, COO, Parks & Zones, DP World GCC, stated, “The expansion reflects our commitment to supporting global business competitiveness and attracting foreign investment to Dubai. Phase 1 was fully leased before completion, highlighting strong demand for quality logistics and warehousing, and Phase 2 further enhances our offering with flexible, high-quality solutions.”

This expansion brings the total area of Jafza Logistics Park to over 922,000 square feet.

With the Middle East and Africa’s freight and logistics market projected to reach $235.8 billion by 2031, demand for advanced warehousing is increasing, particularly in Dubai, driven by sectors like manufacturing, logistics, construction, and e-commerce.

The expanded park addresses this demand by leveraging Jafza’s connectivity with Jebel Ali Port, offering advanced storage and handling solutions including contract logistics, freight forwarding, and freight management for diverse goods.

It also provides value-added services such as packaging, labelling, and quality control, along with real-time inventory tracking, and facilitates re-exports, domestic fulfillment, and import-export consolidation.

The park incorporates sustainable design elements, including precast concrete and off-site construction to minimise environmental impact, and skylights to reduce energy consumption.

A key contributor to Dubai’s economy

Jafza currently hosts 10,890 companies from 150 countries, supporting over 160,000 jobs and contributing Dhs620bn in trade annually.

Phase 1, completed in November 2023, spans 562,507 square feet and features Grade-A dry and pharma storage units, temperature-controlled warehouses, and office spaces.

Abu Dhabi Aviation Group (ADA) has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Archer Aviation to deploy the first fleet of Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft globally, with operations set to begin this year.

The initiative forms part of Archer’s global ‘Launch Edition’ programme, which aims to establish an initial fleet in collaboration with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), marking the beginning of air taxi services in the region.

The agreement will see both parties working together to establish a framework for deploying Midnight aircraft commercially in multiple early adopter markets, developing operational expertise, and generating revenue.

Archer will also provide ADA with a team of experienced pilots, technicians, and engineers to support the initial operational ramp-up.

Additionally, Archer plans to offer integrated software infrastructure, including a booking application, to enhance urban air mobility (UAM) operations.

Funding the deployment of Archer’s Midnight aircraft

During the event, Abu Dhabi Aviation announced its commitment to fund the deployment of Midnight, making it the first operator of electric air taxis in the region.

“We have been observing the advancements in eVTOL technology for years, and we are proud to partner with Archer to bring this innovation to the UAE,” said Al Hammadi. “As a leading force in the aviation industry across the region and the largest helicopter operator in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Aviation has the expertise to develop a scalable urban air mobility service. We are excited to lead the way in launching the region’s electric air taxi service, starting right here in Abu Dhabi.”

Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer, added, “The unveiling of Launch Edition marks the beginning of the next chapter for Archer. This is how we’ll bring Midnight from the manufacturing line to our first customers — and it’s a playbook we’ll run repeatedly as we scale our operations globally.”

Key features of Midnight

Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL, is designed for quick turnaround flights, enabling minimal charge time between back-to-back flights.

The company aims to revolutionise urban travel by offering safe, sustainable, and low-noise electric air taxi flights, cutting 60–90-minute car commutes down to just 10 to 20 minutes.