February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

CleanTech (clean technology) refers to products, services, and processes that use renewable materials and energy sources, reduce emissions and waste, and minimize environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives. The sector includes solar and wind energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel, carbon capture, water desalination and recycling, waste-to-energy systems, and sustainable building materials. CleanTech represents the intersection of environmental sustainability and economic opportunity.

UAE Context

Despite being a major hydrocarbon producer, the UAE has become one of the most active CleanTech investors in the Middle East. Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s clean energy company established in 2006, has invested in renewable energy projects across more than 40 countries. The UAE hosts one of the world’s largest single-site solar projects at Al Dhafra, with a capacity of approximately two gigawatts. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the first in the Arab world, provides low-carbon baseload power. The UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative commits the country to carbon neutrality, and hosting COP28 in 2023 reinforced the UAE’s climate leadership positioning. The UAE Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap targets development of both green and blue hydrogen for export and domestic use.

Key Data

  • Key institution: Masdar (Abu Dhabi clean energy company)
  • Solar capacity: Al Dhafra solar plant at approximately 2 GW
  • Nuclear energy: Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant (four units, 5.6 GW total)
  • Climate commitment: Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative
  • Hydrogen strategy: UAE Hydrogen Leadership Roadmap for green and blue hydrogen

Significance for Vision 2031

CleanTech is a foundational pillar of the We the UAE 2031 vision, supporting energy transition, economic diversification, and global climate leadership. The national agenda targets significant expansion of renewable energy capacity, development of the hydrogen economy, and establishment of the UAE as a global CleanTech hub. Investments in Masdar, nuclear energy, and hydrogen infrastructure create new export industries while reducing the domestic carbon footprint.