13 October 2026
Dubai has AED 2.1 trillion worth of projects under way, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on 13 October 2026 after meeting 1,000 government and private sector leaders at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum. Real estate projects through 2030 account for AED 1.1 trillion, the largest single item. They are followed by AED 328 billion for the Emirates and flydubai fleets, AED 151 billion for new electricity and water networks and AED 128 billion for Al Maktoum International Airport, according to figures released by the Dubai Media Office and reported by Gulf News.
Where the AED 2.1 trillion goes
The Dubai Media Office figures list eleven project lines. The table gives each amount as published.
| Project | Value |
|---|---|
| Real estate projects through 2030 | AED 1.1 trillion |
| Emirates and flydubai fleet expansion | AED 328 billion |
| New electricity and water grid networks | AED 151 billion |
| Al Maktoum International Airport | AED 128 billion |
| Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) development | over AED 100 billion |
| Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) projects | AED 100 billion |
| Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels | AED 80 billion |
| Tasreef rainwater drainage project | AED 30 billion |
| Emirates Engineering and Maintenance Complex | AED 18.7 billion |
| Dubai Exhibition Centre expansion | AED 10 billion |
| Dubai Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap | AED 4 billion |
By our count, the listed lines add up to about AED 2.05 trillion, close to the headline total of AED 2.1 trillion. Real estate alone is about 52% of the total. Aviation, which combines the airline fleets, the new airport and the engineering complex, comes to about AED 475 billion, or roughly 23%. These shares are our calculation and are not part of the release.
What Sheikh Mohammed said
In a post on X, Sheikh Mohammed wrote that Dubai’s journey “is accelerating, not slowing down”, that the projects under way are worth more than AED 2 trillion and that the emirate is “preparing for a new phase of growth and development”. He added: “Our momentum is continuous and our achievements are ongoing. This is the ideal time to invest in Dubai and its infrastructure.”
The forum, held under his patronage, brought together senior government officials, business executives and young leaders. During the forum, Sheikh Mohammed presented the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Medal to Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and the Mohammed bin Rashid Sash to Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
Aviation: Al Maktoum International Airport and the airline fleets
AED 128 billion is allocated to Al Maktoum International Airport, which is being developed to become the largest airport in the world. According to the figures presented at the forum, Dubai is preparing to handle 260 million passengers a year over the next decade. A further AED 328 billion goes to the expansion of the Emirates and flydubai fleets, and AED 18.7 billion to the Emirates Engineering and Maintenance Complex.
The airport timeline was set out earlier. In June 2026, Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the first phase of the expanded airport would open in 2032. At that point, contracts worth AED 13 billion were being executed, and strategic contracts of more than AED 55 billion were due to be awarded in the following months. The plan covers five parallel runways, two passenger terminals, seven concourses and 430 aircraft stands on 70 sq km, with capacity for 12 million tonnes of cargo a year, AGBI reported.
DIFC: the Zabeel District expansion
The DIFC line of more than AED 100 billion has a public precedent. On 27 January 2026, Sheikh Mohammed launched DIFC Zabeel District, an expansion of the financial centre with an estimated gross development value of more than AED 100 billion, according to the Dubai Media Office. Its key parameters:
- a site area of 7.1 million sq ft and a total gross floor area of 17.7 million sq ft;
- capacity for more than 42,000 companies and a workforce of over 125,000, about double the current DIFC;
- more than 1 million sq ft for future technologies and AI, including an AI Campus;
- six phases, with the district expected to open to the public in 2030 and the masterplan to be completed in 2040.
Private developers are also building office space in DIFC. For one example, see our article on the start of main construction on the Aldar DIFC tower.
Utilities, drainage, transport and public space
Infrastructure lines account for a large part of the total. AED 151 billion is earmarked for new electricity and water grid networks to support the growth of the emirate. AED 80 billion goes to the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels system and AED 30 billion to Tasreef, the rainwater drainage project. When Tasreef was approved in June 2024, it was announced as raising Dubai’s rainwater drainage capacity by 700%, with work in phases through 2033.
The Roads and Transport Authority has AED 100 billion in projects. AED 10 billion is earmarked for the expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, and AED 4 billion for the Dubai Blue and Green Spaces Roadmap, which covers green and waterfront areas.
Real estate: AED 1.1 trillion through 2030
Real estate is the largest line, at AED 1.1 trillion of projects through 2030. The release gives this as a single figure: it does not split the amount by developer, segment, location or year, and it does not say how much of it is already under construction and how much is planned.
The announcement does not change any rules for buyers, developers or tenants. It describes the project pipeline, not a new law, fee or procedure. Registration, financing and residence rules for property owners stay as they were. For financing questions, see our guide to mortgages in the UAE for residents and non-residents.
What this means for companies working in Dubai
A project pipeline of this size is delivered by contractors, engineering and design consultancies, suppliers of building materials and equipment, aviation service providers and facility management companies. For a company that plans to work on Dubai projects, the practical questions are about structure, not about the announcement itself:
- the licence activities match the actual work, for example general contracting, engineering consultancy or trading in building materials;
- the choice between mainland and free zone fits the client base: a free zone licence covers activity in the zone, while work for clients across the emirate is generally done under a mainland licence;
- the corporate bank account is opened before the first contracts, since banks review the business model and expected counterparties;
- residence visas for engineers, project managers and site staff are planned together with the licence and office space, which determine how many visas the company can sponsor.
Our guide to company formation in the UAE covers the steps, documents and timelines for each route.
How Atlant Capital can help
Atlant Capital helps contractors, consultancies, suppliers and investors set up in Dubai. We handle company setup on the mainland or in a free zone, select licence activities that match the work the company will actually do, prepare the corporate bank account opening file and arrange residence visas for owners and staff. Each case is prepared on the official requirements of the relevant authority.
Conclusion
On 13 October 2026, Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai has AED 2.1 trillion in projects under way. Real estate through 2030 accounts for AED 1.1 trillion. Aviation takes about AED 475 billion, including AED 328 billion for the Emirates and flydubai fleets and AED 128 billion for Al Maktoum International Airport, whose first phase is due to open in 2032. The list also includes AED 151 billion for power and water grids, more than AED 100 billion for DIFC and AED 100 billion for RTA projects. The announcement sets out the project pipeline and does not change any rules for businesses or property buyers.
Source: Gulf News, Dubai Media Office, AGBI.
FAQ
How much are the projects under way in Dubai worth?
On 13 October 2026, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said Dubai has AED 2.1 trillion worth of projects under way. The total covers real estate, aviation, transport, utilities and public infrastructure. He made the statement after the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, which brought together 1,000 government and private sector leaders.
How much of Dubai’s AED 2.1 trillion in projects is real estate?
Real estate projects through 2030 account for AED 1.1 trillion, about 52% of the total by our calculation. It is the largest single line in the figures released by the Dubai Media Office. The release does not split the amount by developer, segment or year.
How much is Dubai investing in Al Maktoum International Airport?
AED 128 billion is allocated to Al Maktoum International Airport, which is being developed to become the largest airport in the world. The first phase is due to open in 2032, according to Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan. The plan includes five parallel runways and 430 aircraft stands, and Dubai is preparing to handle 260 million passengers a year over the next decade.
What is DIFC Zabeel District?
DIFC Zabeel District is an expansion of the Dubai International Financial Centre launched on 27 January 2026, with an estimated gross development value of more than AED 100 billion. It has a gross floor area of 17.7 million sq ft and will allow DIFC to host more than 42,000 companies and over 125,000 workers. The district is expected to open to the public in 2030, with the masterplan completed in 2040.
