Middle East and Africa to See $3 Trillion in Real Estate and Infrastructure Projects by 2030

The Middle East and Africa region is expected to witness a $3 trillion pipeline of real estate and infrastructure projects between 2026 and 2030, supported by tight occupancy levels and sustained investor appetite, according to a new analysis by professional services firm JLL.

In its latest report, JLL said low vacancy rates and strong absorption across key markets are accelerating the transformation of the sector. Limited available supply has supported rental and sales growth, particularly in major urban centers, as demand continues to outpace new stock.

The momentum reflects broader economic diversification strategies being pursued across the region. Governments are investing heavily in infrastructure, tourism, logistics and commercial hubs to reduce reliance on traditional revenue sources and attract global capital.

James Allan, CEO for UAE, Egypt and Africa at JLL, said robust fundamentals in 2025 laid the groundwork for continued expansion. “Strong market fundamentals boosted the Middle East and Africa real estate market in 2025, setting the momentum for sustained performance across asset classes in 2026,” he said.

Allan pointed to record residential transactions, double-digit growth in industrial and logistics rents, and an office vacancy rate of just 1 percent during 2025. He attributed the surge to professional talent migration, significant private investment and strategic infrastructure development across the region.

The report noted that major infrastructure deliveries in the coming years are expected to unlock additional real estate opportunities and draw further private sector participation. Cross-border capital flows and alternative financing structures are also projected to gain prominence, particularly in greenfield developments where existing investment stock remains limited.

Improved regulatory frameworks and greater market transparency are strengthening investor confidence, JLL said, helping position regional markets as competitive destinations for global capital.

The United Arab Emirates is forecast to play a central role in this growth cycle, with projected project cash flows of $795 billion between 2026 and 2030. Of that amount, $470 billion is earmarked for real estate development.

Saudi Arabia is also seeing strong performance. In a separate report published in November, CBRE said Riyadh office rents rose 15 percent year on year, with occupancy reaching 98 percent by the end of the third quarter of 2025. The surge has been fueled by non-oil economic expansion and multinational firms relocating regional headquarters to the Saudi capital.

Knight Frank has estimated that Saudi Arabia’s construction output value could reach $191 billion by 2029, reflecting growth in residential projects, large-scale developments and rising demand for commercial space.

Analysts say sustained infrastructure investment and solid demand fundamentals are likely to keep the region’s property markets active through the end of the decade.