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SNG: Abu Dhabi 9M realty transaction value jumps 76.1% to $46.63bln

By Zawya

By Staff Writer

Abu Dhabi's real estate transactions rose 76.1% in value to AED171.26 billion ($46.63 billion) in the first nine months (9M) of 2026, according to figures released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

The number of transactions increased 32.8% to 38,483, compared with 28,977 transactions worth AED97.19 billion in the same period of 2025, an Emirates News Agency (WAM) report said.

Sales were the main contributor to growth, with 23,749 transactions valued at AED119.33 billion, a 105% increase in value and a 49.2% increase in transaction volume year-on-year, up from 15,910 transactions worth AED58.20 billion in the same period of 2025.

Mortgage activity

Mortgage activity also registered growth, with 14,390 transactions valued at AED45.92 billion, reflecting a 13.2% rise in transaction volume and a 30.2% increase in value compared to 12,706 transactions totalling AED35.26 billion in the same period of 2025.

At the district level, Al Reem Island recorded the highest transaction value at AED29.86 billion, followed by Al Hudayriyat Island at AED28.62 billion, Al Saadiyat Island at AED18.69 billion, Yas Island at AED13.4 billion and Zayed City at AED5.36 billion.

Looking ahead, six districts are projected to account for 77% of incremental real estate supply through 2030, including Al Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Zayed City, Khalifa City and Al Hudayriyat Island.

Rashed Al Omaira, Director-General of ADREC, said: “The scale of investment shows how many people and businesses are making a long-term commitment to Abu Dhabi. That commitment extends well beyond the transaction itself. Buyers expect projects to be delivered, businesses need space to grow, and residents want communities that work well over time.”

Rules governing the market

He added that ADREC's responsibility is to make sure the rules governing the market reflect those expectations, from how property is sold to how developments are managed after handover.

Foreign investment in Abu Dhabi’s investment zones increased by 131% year-on-year to AED86.11 billion in the first nine months of 2026, accounting for 81% of total investment value within those zones.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) by non-resident individuals in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector reached AED17.22 billion during the same period, more than double the AED8.2 billion recorded for the full year of 2025.

Investors from 121 nationalities contributed to this FDI, with the UK, China, Russia, the United States, France, and Germany representing the leading sources by investment value.

Other transaction categories also recorded growth in value. Gift transactions increased by 145% in number to 76, with their total value rising by 389% to AED0.44 billion. Musataha and long-lease transactions reached 268 deals valued at AED5.57 billion, representing a 52.9% increase in value despite an 18.7% decline in transaction volume compared to the same period in 2025.

Regulatory and professional framework

As market activity expands, ADREC continues to develop the regulatory and professional framework supporting the sector. During the first nine months of 2026, the Centre registered 54 new real estate development projects and issued 3,677 licences for real estate professionals, a 32% increase in licences compared to the same period in 2025.

ADREC also introduced the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Broker Transformation Course, a mandatory licensing curriculum replacing the previous broker course.

The programme is designed to strengthen brokers' regulatory knowledge, advisory capabilities and professional conduct, supporting higher standards of service across the sector.

Abu Dhabi has been recognised as the world’s most improved market in JLL’s 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index, recording the largest gain among all markets assessed.

The emirate climbed eight places from 41st in 2024 to 33rd globally in 2026, with a score of 2.42. This advancement marks Abu Dhabi’s transition from the “Semi-Transparent” to the “Transparent” tier. Regionally, Abu Dhabi ranked second in the Mena region.—TradeArabia News Service

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