SADEQ ALKHOORI (ABU DHABI)
Investor activity in the UAE’s real estate market remains strong entering 2026, with sustained demand across residential and commercial segments even as supply is set to increase significantly in the coming years.
More than 4,800 property transactions worth nearly Dh16 billion were recorded in Dubai between February 28 and March 12 alone, underscoring continued investor confidence despite ongoing regional uncertainty.
In Abu Dhabi, demand remains steady across key residential destinations, supported by ongoing development activity and long-term investor confidence in the emirate’s market fundamentals.
According to a recent analysis by UBS, the market continues to benefit from strong investor demand, with both residential and commercial segments recording solid performance despite external pressures.
This resilience is also reflected in continued investment activity. A Dh1 billion agreement between AKCEL Holding and XRange Golf Entertainment to develop a network of golf entertainment venues across the UAE was announced during the current regional situation, highlighting sustained investor confidence in the country’s real estate and leisure sectors.
Listed developers have echoed this momentum. Emaar Properties and Aldar reported strong levels of contracted sales and project backlogs in their latest disclosures, reinforcing confidence in the UAE property market.
Industry data also points to strong underlying fundamentals supporting demand. “Core demand drivers such as population inflows, business relocations and global wealth migration remain intact,” said Dr. Amit Goenka, Chairman and Managing Director of Nisus Finance Group.
He added that any short-term impact from regional developments is likely to be sentiment-driven rather than structural, with no significant disruption expected to pricing trends or project pipelines.
At the same time, supply is expected to expand, particularly in Dubai, where a large number of residential units are set to enter the market in the coming years.
Despite this, the market is expected to remain stable. High occupancy levels and continued investment flows are helping absorb new supply and support price resilience.
“These data points reflect the underlying strength of the market and should provide reassurance to investors,” Dr. Goenka said.
The UAE’s position as a regional business and investment hub, supported by infrastructure development and investor-friendly policies, continues to underpin demand across both residential and commercial real estate.
Overall, the outlook for 2026 points to a market that remains active and resilient, where strong fundamentals continue to support long-term growth.