ZnO and nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) overcoated Fe-based catalysts (Fe@NC) were synthesized and evaluated in CO2 hydrogenation reaction. The Fe@NC exhibited enhanced catalytic activity, stability, and high selectivity toward light olefins and C5+ hydrocarbons. The olefins over paraffins ratio in the range of C-2-C-4 increased 24 times from 0.07 to 1.68 compared with the benchmark Fe3O4 catalyst. The evolution of iron species was observed during the hydrogenation reaction. The inactive theta-Fe3C phase disappeared, and the active phases for CO(2 )hydrogenation, Fe3O4 and Fe5C2 , formed during the hydrogenation reaction. Overcoating the surface of Fe-based catalysts can be used as a useful strategy to modulate the product selectivity toward sustainable production of value-added hydrocarbons from CO2.