UAE invests AED44 billion in its space sector, with private sector participation growing rapidly, says UAE Space Agency.
DUBAI: The UAE has invested approximately AED44 billion in its growing space sector, with the private sector emerging as a strong contributor, according to Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency.
Speaking during the Dubai Airshow 2025 press conference, Dr. Al Falasi said that while government investment laid the foundation, private sector involvement is now accelerating, with SMEs and major companies expanding their roles across the UAE’s space ecosystem.
“Many successful space nations started with government-led initiatives, but empowered private companies to scale,” he said, noting that the UAE is following a similar strategy. Over the past decade, the government has been the primary driver of the space sector, but the shift toward greater private engagement is now clear.
At this year’s Airshow, the number of participating SMEs has doubled, and their pavilion area has expanded by more than 60%, reflecting the UAE’s aim to broaden national inclusion in space activities. Dr. Al Falasi highlighted that local companies are gaining international recognition, and their capabilities are increasingly aligned with global demand.
The UAE Space Agency is engaging with 15 international space agencies at the event to foster global cooperation. These bilateral and trilateral meetings are set to unlock new partnership opportunities and highlight the UAE’s advanced private capabilities in space technology.
He further explained that many Emirati companies currently focus on AI-driven space applications for sectors such as urban planning, environmental monitoring, and resource management. Some are now venturing into satellite operations and component manufacturing, supported by legal and logistical frameworks from the UAE Space Agency.
The agency’s long-term goal is to make the UAE one of the top 10 destinations for space companies by 2031, reinforcing its global role in advanced technologies and space innovation.
