What to Watch at AIM Congress 2026: Capital, Technology and the New Geography of Growth

Global investment is entering a period of significant change. Capital is becoming more selective, technology is reshaping entire industries and governments are competing to attract investment that can support long-term economic growth.

Against this backdrop, AIM Congress 2026 will bring policymakers, investors, financial institutions, business leaders and entrepreneurs together at Dubai World Trade Centre from 7 to 9 September 2026. Now entering its 15th edition, the Congress will be held under the theme “Reshaping Global Prosperity: Unlocking New Investment Pathways Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future.”

For attendees, the three-day event offers an opportunity to understand where capital is moving, which sectors are attracting investor interest and how governments and companies are adapting to a more connected, technology-led global economy.

A New Geography of Global Investment

International investment decisions are increasingly influenced by supply-chain resilience, economic diversification, geopolitical developments and access to fast-growing markets.

Through its Global Markets pillar, AIM Congress will examine foreign direct investment, global trade, manufacturing and cross-border investment flows. The programme is designed to connect governments, investment promotion agencies, financial institutions and businesses seeking to enter new markets or expand their international presence.

For companies, these discussions will be particularly relevant as they consider how to position themselves for international investors, communicate their growth strategies and build the governance and institutional capabilities required to attract long-term capital.

For investors, the Congress provides access to markets, projects and sectors that may be difficult to assess through financial information alone. Direct engagement with policymakers and business leaders can provide greater insight into local economic priorities, regulatory developments and future investment pipelines.

The Economies and Industries of the Future

AIM Congress 2026 will also explore the technologies and economic models changing how businesses operate and how investment decisions are made.

The Future Economies pillar covers the digital economy, future finance and future cities, with a focus on sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth. The NexGen pillar will bring together startups, entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders across areas including artificial intelligence, innovation and the development of high-growth businesses.

Artificial intelligence is expected to feature prominently. The conversation is moving beyond the initial excitement surrounding AI towards more practical questions about infrastructure, regulation, governance and commercial application.

Investors will be looking for companies that can demonstrate clear use cases, sustainable business models and the ability to scale. Governments, meanwhile, are assessing how investment in data, digital infrastructure and skills can strengthen their competitiveness and create new economic opportunities.

The official conference programme also highlights discussions covering the future of foreign direct investment, the impact of emerging technologies on global capital flows, pharmaceutical manufacturing in developing markets, geopolitical change and the future of banking and financial transactions.

Senior Voices Across Government, Finance and Business

The current speaker line-up reflects AIM Congress’s focus on connecting public and private-sector decision-makers.

Confirmed speakers include H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; H.E. Badr Jafar, Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Jasem Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council; and H.E. Ayesha Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla, Chairwoman of the Emirates Businesswomen Council.

The financial, investment and corporate sectors will be represented by leaders including Abdulla Aljneibi, Managing Director at FAB; Hamad Rashid Al-Naimi, Chief Strategy Officer at Invest Qatar; Fuad Alattar, Senior Vice President for the Middle East at Siemens; and Walid Yehia, Managing Director at Dell Technologies.

The programme also includes technology and investment specialists such as Sangbu Kim, Vice President for Digital and AI at the World Bank Group; Larry Li, Founding Partner at Amino Capital; Marco Stefanini, Founder and Global CEO of Stefanini Group; and Stephen Welton, Non-Executive Chair of the British Business Bank.

Together, these perspectives will support a broader conversation about economic policy, investment readiness, entrepreneurship, access to finance and the technologies influencing future growth.

More Than a Conference Programme

AIM Congress is structured to support direct engagement alongside its formal discussions.

The event will include plenary sessions, thematic conferences, high-level roundtables, side forums, exhibitions, workshops and investment destination briefings. Attendees can also participate in networking activities, business matchmaking, pitch competitions, awards and memorandum of understanding signings.

These formats provide governments and businesses with opportunities to present investable projects, while allowing investors to evaluate potential partners, markets and opportunities more closely.

The exhibition halls will bring together governments, corporations and innovators presenting investment-ready projects and emerging technologies. Registered visitors will have access to all three event days, with the exhibition taking place across Halls 1 to 4 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Why AIM Congress 2026 Matters

The importance of AIM Congress lies in the breadth of participants it brings together.

Investment increasingly depends on coordination between governments, companies, financial institutions, regulators and technology providers. A strong project or business model remains essential, but successful investment also requires credible information, supportive policy frameworks and alignment between multiple stakeholders.

For companies, AIM Congress offers an opportunity to understand how investor expectations are changing and how businesses can strengthen their positioning in increasingly competitive capital markets.

For investors, it provides access to decision-makers and opportunities across different sectors and regions.

For governments, it creates a platform to present national priorities, strengthen international relationships and connect policy objectives with private capital.

As an official media partner, Investory will provide coverage of the discussions, investment themes and executive perspectives emerging from AIM Congress 2026, helping connect developments at the event with the broader issues shaping regional and international capital markets.

AIM Congress 2026 7–9 September 2026

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE

Register for AIM Congress 2026: https://www.aimcongress.com/register-interest