Middle East Wires & Cables Market Set for US$32 Billion Surge Amid UAE Infrastructure Boom
Dubai, 29 October 2025 – The Middle East wires and cables sector is entering a period of accelerated growth, driven by sweeping infrastructure expansion in the United Arab Emirates and the wider region. A new industry forecast estimates that demand in the region will rise from about US$ 23 billion today to more than US$ 32 billion within the next five years.
Key Drivers of Growth
- Mega infrastructure projects: The UAE continues to roll out large-scale developments in transport (rail, metro, expressways), energy (renewables, grid expansion) and real-estate (smart cities, commercial hubs). These projects generate strong demand for a wide spectrum of wires and cables—from low-voltage building wiring to high-voltage transmission and specialist cables for renewables.
- Regional diversification & renewables push: Governments across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are shifting from oil-centric economies to diversified infrastructure and tech-led sectors. The report states that construction pipelines in the region total US$ 147.1 billion across five years, while renewables investment may reach US$ 60 billion in the same period.
- Manufacturing & trade opportunities: With the UAE serving as a regional hub, manufacturers of wires/cables are scaling up, and the region’s participation in international trade fairs reflects this momentum. For example, over 16 exhibitors from the UAE are confirmed for the upcoming “wire & Tube” fair in Düsseldorf in 2026.
Why the UAE Stands Out
The UAE is positioned at the forefront of this market expansion. Local players such as Ducab and Conares are already active in the regional shows and supply chains, signalling that the sector is not purely import-led but has manufacturing/assembly components.
In addition, the UAE’s emphasis on smart infrastructure, e-mobility, and sustainable energy systems increases demand for advanced cabling solutions—such as low-smoke zero-halogen (LSZH) cables for buildings, and high-voltage cables for grid and renewables integration.
Market Segments & Expectations
- The forecast to US$ 32 billion assumes a compound growth driven by both the volume of projects and increasing specification/complexity of cables (for smart infrastructure, data centres, renewables).
- While the region currently stands at around US$ 23 billion in wires/cables demand, the growth to US$ 32 billion within five years reflects a roughly 40 % increase in value terms.
- Power & transmission segments (medium/high voltage) and construction/building wiring are expected to capture the largest shares, but growth in niche segments (e-mobility, smart buildings, data-centres) will increase average value per meter of cable.
Implications for Business & Investors
- Manufacturers: Domestic and international cable-makers should consider expanding presence in the UAE/GCC region to capitalise on local demand and favourable logistics/trade conditions.
- Supply chain: Opportunity exists not just in raw cables but in accessories, installation services, testing & certification (especially for advanced cables meeting stricter fire-safety and sustainability standards).
- Project planners & infrastructure contractors: Budgeting for cabling costs should recognise that as projects incorporate smarter/greener components, cabling may evolve from commodity to more engineered product requiring higher upfront cost.
- Investors: The wires & cables sector, often deemed “behind-the-scenes” in infrastructure, is seeing structural tailwinds—growth underpinned by government policy rather than only cyclical demand, which could reduce downside risk.
Risks & Considerations
- Raw-material price volatility (copper, aluminium) remains a challenge and could compress margins if projects do not adjust cable specifications/costs accordingly.
- Supply-chain disruptions or specification changes for next-gen cables (e.g., specialized for high-speed data, renewable infrastructure) could delay uptake.
- Execution risk: While forecasts appear strong, realisation depends on project award timelines, permit/licensing regimes, and coordination across multiple stakeholders (developers, utilities, contractors).
Outlook
With the UAE’s infrastructure build-out continuing full throttle, and the regional wires/cables market undergoing a structural upgrade in both scale and sophistication, the next few years look promising. Companies active in manufacturing, or those supplying services and components to the cable ecosystem, should position themselves early. The region may move beyond being a consumption market into a regional manufacturing/export base, particularly for higher-specification cables.
