Culture

Dubai Ranks First Globally In FDI For Cultural And Creative Industries 2023

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2024

Dubai Ranks First Globally In FDI For Cultural And Creative Industries 2023

Dubai has topped the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Index for cultural and creative industries in 2023, according to the ‘fDi Markets’ report by the Financial Times. This ranking reaffirms Dubai’s leadership and enhances its competitiveness as a global capital of the creative economy.

The emirate ranked first globally as the top destination for job creation and capital inflows in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) sector, out of 115 other destinations in the report. This achievement places Dubai ahead of major global cities such as London, New York, and Singapore.

According to data from the Dubai FDI Monitor, released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai has attracted 898 projects in the cultural and creative industries sector in 2023, almost double the figure from the previous year. This led to AED 11.8 billion in FDI capital inflow, which was a 60% increase. An estimated 21,563 new job opportunities were created in 2023, 74% up on 2022.

Within the ranking of the top five source countries for FDI capital inflows into CCI in Dubai during 2023, data from the Dubai FDI Monitor and the Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics showed an increase in capital inflows. The US led with 33.2%, followed by the UK at 12.4%, India with 9.1%, Hungary on 4%, and Denmark’s 3%. The US also topped the list for creating new job opportunities through FDI into Dubai’s CCI with 19.2%, India boasting 16.3%, the UK 15.7%, Singapore with 5%, and France’s 4.2%.

In terms of the number of FDI projects announced in 2023 in the CCI sector, the UK led with 17.8%, followed by India with 16.9%, the US at 16%, France with 4%, and Italy’s 3.8%, highlighting Dubai’s efforts and strategies to focus on these markets as key partners.

Data from the Dubai FDI Monitor and the Dubai Framework for Cultural Statistics indicated that wholly-owned Greenfield FDI projects accounted for 78.7% of Dubai’s total CCI in 2023. New Forms of Investments (NFIs) were 16.1%, reinvestment projects made up 3%, and mergers and acquisitions tallied up to 2.1% of the projects in the registered sectors.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”