Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
The construction sector in Abu Dhabi has shown strong growth in early 2026, according to new data from the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). The authority approved 20.8 million square metres of gross floor area in the first quarter of 2026. This is a 17.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Officials said this rise shows that developers are planning bigger and more ambitious projects across the emirate. It also reflects strong confidence in Abu Dhabi as a stable place for long-term investment and development.
The report also showed growth in other key areas of construction activity. New permit requests reached 5,096, which is a 14 per cent increase year-on-year. This shows that more developers are starting fresh projects in different sectors.
Work start notices also increased to 3,244. This is a 14.3 per cent rise and shows that more approved projects are now moving from planning to actual construction on the ground. Inspection requests jumped by 24.5 per cent to 34,391, showing high levels of ongoing building activity across the city.
According to Eng. Abdulla Mohamed Al Blooshi, the figures highlight the strong and steady growth of Abu Dhabi’s development market. He said the rising approvals, project starts, and construction activity show strong investor trust in the emirate’s future vision and its well-organised planning system.
The first quarter performance builds on the strong momentum seen in 2025, when the DMT approved 75 million square metres of gross floor area. This was a huge 137 per cent increase compared to the previous year. In the same period, more than 11,000 building permits were issued for sectors such as housing, manufacturing, technology, and hospitality.
Overall, the latest data shows that Abu Dhabi’s construction sector continues to expand rapidly. The steady rise in approvals and active projects highlights growing economic strength and continued development across the emirate.
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