If you want to control your financial destiny, retail investment has become an increasingly sought-after option.
It's not just the ultra-wealthy who are active in monetisable markets any more and the numbers reinforce this shift.
The combined market capitalisation of the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges surpassed Dh3.91 trillion ($1.06 trillion) in 2024, compared with Dh3.65 trillion in the year prior, according to state news agency Wam. This highlights how more people are generating wealth today.
UAE residents are seeking digital investment platforms to diversify their portfolios. Technology has simplified investing, with online brokerage platforms offering low-cost or commission-free trading. It is imperative to understand how to harness this new investment age.
Build strong foundations
Like anything in life, it all starts with the basics. To start investing, begin by deciding what you want to invest in. This can include stocks, bonds, real estate or mutual funds (among several other options), without relying on big companies to handle your money. This DIY approach grants more control over where you spend your money but also means that you need to evaluate your risk profile and conduct due diligence.
UAE residents’ investment choices are as diverse as the expatriates who make up the country’s population. Yet, most of these individuals prioritise real estate and gold. Why? Because these assets maintain their value and stability throughout history.
Consider Dubai's real estate market, it recorded Dh522.5 billion worth of deals in 2024. People renting property in key areas can expect to earn between 7 per cent and 9 per cent of its value each year.
Meanwhile, more people are putting money into index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for wealth growth over time without paying high fees – but there are more options to consider.
Green energy and technology start-ups, for example, are something new to try as these industries hold promising futures. With sustainability and technology at the forefront of today’s global policy shifts, they are strong starting points – especially for new investors.
However, a solid base is essential before diving in. An emergency fund covering three to six months of expenses provides a safety net for responsible investing.
Step towards financial independence
Achieving financial independence through retail investment starts with informed decisions: begin small. Low-cost index funds offer diversification and low fees, making them a great entry point.
Due to their long-term stability and reduced risk when compared to speculative trading, these instruments are becoming increasingly popular among UAE retail investors.
You can mimic the diversification strategies of high-net-worth individuals and ultra-high-net-worth individuals by expanding your portfolio across asset classes such as real estate, private equity and alternative investments.
Different approaches
Investing does not follow a single approach. Each investor’s risk appetite depends on things such as how much they earn, what they want to do with their money and what's going on in their life.
Consider Warren Buffett, who takes a long-term, value-investing approach, compared to Elon Musk, who embraces high-risk, high-reward ventures in emerging industries. They are examples of polar opposite strategies, yet both achieved incredible success.
Similarly, people who don't mind taking big risks might opt for stocks or less common investments, while those wanting it safe might stick to bonds or funds that pay regular dividends.
What's happening in the market in 2025 should also guide how you invest. Big changes in the world economy, such as inflation and geopolitical tensions, are affecting how investments perform everywhere.
Maintain discipline
What’s most appealing about investing is the possibility of achieving financial freedom. Saving regularly, investing consistently and remaining patient present the opportunity to use compound interest to build wealth over time. This is especially true in the UAE where there is no income tax.
With increased recognition for helping facilitate smarter financial decisions, retail investment is playing an important role in residents’ money-making strategies. It provides you with endless opportunities: from fulfilling retirement goals to building wealth for your future generations.
While investing is a promising path to financial independence, true financial freedom requires a multi-asset approach. Saving, budgeting and diversifying income streams in a disciplined manner will yield long-term benefits.
Investing can be overwhelming, especially for those who are new to the playing field. If you fit into this category, reaching out to informed financial advisers to guide you will help ease that burden.
Nonetheless, if you’re embarking on an investing journey, the key to success is starting small, staying informed and remaining patient.
Bas Kooijman is chief executive and asset manager of DHF Capital, a securitisation company for financial services
Fireball
Moscow claimed it hit the largest military fuel storage facility in Ukraine, triggering a huge fireball at the site.
A plume of black smoke rose from a fuel storage facility in the village of Kalynivka outside Kyiv on Friday after Russia said it had destroyed the military site with Kalibr cruise missiles.
"On the evening of March 24, Kalibr high-precision sea-based cruise missiles attacked a fuel base in the village of Kalynivka near Kyiv," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying the village some 40 kilometres south-west of Kyiv was targeted.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Defence
General Intelligence Directorate
Air Force Intelligence Agency
Political Security Directorate
Syrian National Security Bureau
Military Intelligence Directorate
Army Supply Bureau
General Organisation of Radio and TV
Al Watan newspaper
Cham Press TV
Sama TV
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
The five pillars of Islam
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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The years Ramadan fell in May
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
CREW
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The five pillars of Islam
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
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Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
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SPEC%20SHEET
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Read more about the coronavirus
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
