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

The Ruwais Industrial Complex is one of the world’s largest integrated refining and petrochemical centres, located approximately 240 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi city in the Al Dhafra region. Operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its subsidiaries, the complex encompasses crude-oil refining, natural-gas processing, petrochemical manufacturing, sulphur handling, and polymer production. Ruwais transforms raw hydrocarbons extracted from Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas fields into higher-value refined products and chemical feedstocks for domestic consumption and export.

UAE Context

Ruwais has been the cornerstone of the UAE’s downstream hydrocarbon strategy since its initial development in the 1980s. ADNOC Refining operates a refinery at the site with a combined processing capacity of approximately 922,000 barrels per day following major expansion projects. Borouge, a joint venture between ADNOC and Borealis, operates one of the world’s largest polyolefin complexes at Ruwais, producing polyethylene and polypropylene for global markets. The complex also includes facilities run by ADNOC Gas Processing and Fertiglobe, the latter producing nitrogen-based fertilisers and chemicals.

Key Data

The Ruwais refinery processes multiple crude grades including Abu Dhabi’s Murban and Upper Zakum crudes. Borouge’s polyolefin production capacity at the site exceeds 6 million tonnes per year following its Borouge 4 expansion. The complex supports a planned residential and commercial city for its workforce and is connected to Abu Dhabi’s pipeline and port infrastructure, including the Ruwais port terminal for product exports.

Vision 2031 Significance

Ruwais exemplifies the UAE’s strategy of maximising value from its hydrocarbon resources by moving up the industrial value chain from crude export to advanced manufacturing. The complex supports Operation 300bn, the national industrial strategy, and creates thousands of skilled technical jobs that contribute to economic diversification and Emiratisation objectives.

  • ADNOC — The national oil company that operates the Ruwais complex.
  • Petrochemicals — The downstream chemical products manufactured at the facility.
  • Operation 300bn — The industrial strategy Ruwais’ value-added output supports.
  • KIZAD — The Khalifa Industrial Zone that complements Ruwais in Abu Dhabi’s industrial ecosystem.