Abu Dhabi’s property market recorded a substantial 76.1 percent increase in total transaction value, reaching Dh171 billion in the first nine months of 2026. This surge provided the backdrop for the International Real Estate and Investment Show (IREIS) 2026, which commenced on Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and concludes today, Thursday, November 12, 2026.The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) reported that sales were the primary driver of this growth, with 23,749 transactions valued at Dh119.33 billion. This represents a 105 percent increase in value and a 49.2 percent increase in transaction volume compared to the same period in 2025, which saw 15,910 transactions worth Dh58.20 billion.IREIS 2026, a three-day exhibition and conference, was inaugurated by Amer Al Ahbabi, Chairman of Vertix Holdings, and Khalifa Al Qubaisi, Chief Commercial Officer of ADNEC Centre. Al Ahbabi highlighted the rapid growth of Abu Dhabi’s real estate market, attributing it to the leadership’s vision, stability, and strong infrastructure investment, which is attracting more foreign investors.Arun Bose, Director of IREIS, emphasized the growth of the UAE’s real estate market and the exhibition’s role in connecting developers, brokers, and investors. He noted increasing interest in Abu Dhabi’s waterfront developments on Saadiyat Island, Reem Island, and Hudayriyat Island.During the event, Edgar Gerson, Architect, Founder, and President of De Sousa Holdings, unveiled a master-planned city concept. This “city of the future” is designed to accommodate 1.2 million people within the project and support an additional 300,000 people outside it. The plan, inspired by Emirati heritage, features a central dallah (Arabic coffee pot) symbolizing hospitality, surrounded by seven coffee cups representing the UAE’s seven emirates. Its design aims to reduce traffic and integrate sustainable features like water harvesting and electric vehicle priority.Other exhibitors at IREIS included Al Rasikhoon Real Estate, Samana Developer, Ajman-based Aqaar, and various international real estate agencies. Sunil Nair, Vice President at Samana, stated their goal was to expand their presence in Abu Dhabi and connect with local partners and investors for future projects. Qadar Ashfaq Shaik, Sales Relationship Manager at Dubai-based Al Rasikhoon Real Estate, noted growing interest in the northern emirates, particularly Sharjah, due to the upcoming Fujairah port.Bhavya Kamath of Husby Mortgages described Abu Dhabi as an “up-and-coming market” offering significant opportunities for the mortgage sector. Her colleague, Mounika Girmaji, praised the networking opportunities provided by the exhibition.The growth in Abu Dhabi’s real estate market is also reflected in its improved global standing. Abu Dhabi was recognized as the world’s most improved market in JLL’s 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index (GRETI), climbing to 33rd globally from 41st in 2024.
Background
- The event opened a day after the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) reported that the emirate's total transaction value rose 76.1 percent to Dh171 billion in the first nine months of 2026.
What happens next
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) aims to position Abu Dhabi among the top 25 most transparent real estate markets globally by 2030. ADREC plans to utilize advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to gain early insights into demand, risks, and market performance. Looking ahead, 7,562 to 8,000 new units are expected to be completed in 2026, with approximately 71,000 more homes anticipated by 2030.
Why it matters for Nepal
The UAE is a significant destination for Nepali workers, with approximately 700,000 Nepali citizens residing there, making it the largest Nepali diaspora in the Middle East. In the first nine months of the 2025/26 fiscal year, 137,892 Nepalis obtained labor permits to work in the UAE.
