10 years after its founding.. "Abu Dhabi International" It attracts 300 financial institutions managing assets worth $28.6 trillion

ABU DHABI, 30 October / WAM / The Abu Dhabi Global Center (ADGM), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary and the culmination of a decade of exceptional growth, regulatory excellence and financial innovation, has attracted more than 300 financial institutions that today manage assets with a total value of US$28.6 trillion globally, according to estimates from the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a global capital capital.
These institutions include hedge funds, banks, large asset managers, private equity firms, venture capital, and credit funds.
During the past three years, Abu Dhabi International recorded remarkable levels of rapid growth, as the number of financial institutions increased from 131 at the end of 2021 to 308 in the first half of 2025, with a growth rate of 135% in 42 months, making Abu Dhabi Global one of the fastest growing financial centers in the world in recent years.
At the same time, Abu Dhabi Global succeeded in achieving the goals of its five-year growth strategy “for the period from 2022-2027” in just three years.
The remarkable growth in performance indicators since the establishment of Abu Dhabi Global is a reflection of a well-established success story that enhances the leading international position of the international financial center. During the period between 2015 and the end of 2024, assets under management in Abu Dhabi Global recorded an exceptional annual growth rate of 123%, driven by the remarkable growth in fund activity, as the annual growth rate for both the number of funds and the number of asset managers reached 62% during the same period, while the number of valid licenses increased at a compound annual growth rate of 71% and the number of companies expanded. Operating within his system by 62%.
His Excellency Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Global, said: In accordance with the vision and directives of the wise leadership, Abu Dhabi Global achieved unprecedented growth within a short period of its founding, becoming today a leading global financial force that attracts the most prominent financial institutions from all over the world. Over the next decade, we look forward to making Abu Dhabi Global one of the five largest international financial centers in the world, based on its qualitative achievements, and moving with determination towards a new phase of sustainable growth and global leadership during the next ten years.
The performance indicators and results achieved by Abu Dhabi Global during the first half of 2025 confirm the continued strong momentum in the basic indicators, including an increase in assets under management by 42% compared to the same period in 2024, and the number of fund and asset managers reached 154 managers with a total of 209 funds under management, while the number of valid licenses increased to 11,128, which is the highest number in the region, while the number of companies operating in Abu Dhabi Global increased by 42% to reach To 2,972 companies.
Abu Dhabi Global has established its distinguished position as a reference for trust and transparency for international investors thanks to its integrated regulatory framework, and being the only regulatory authority in the region that directly applies the English Commons Law. Since its establishment, the number of financial companies operating within its system has witnessed a rapid rise with an annual growth rate of 55% until the end of 2024, constituting an increasing share of the total companies operating in it.
Abu Dhabi Global’s strong ties to Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds, which collectively manage assets worth US$1.82 trillion, have also strengthened its position as a preferred destination for global asset managers.
During the past years, a number of the most prominent international financial institutions have joined the Abu Dhabi Global system, including BlackRock, State Street Global Advisors, BGIM, Nuveen, Carlyle, Apollo, and others.
In 2025 alone, leading institutions such as UBS, Davidson Kempner, Monroe Capital, Adam Street, HarborVest, Carta, Kimmeridge, Invest Industrial, Patrizia, Bullen Capital, Sephora, Arcapita, Harrison Street, and Partners have joined the growing Abu Dhabi Global ecosystem. Capital and Oryx Global Partners, which strengthened Abu Dhabi’s global position as a financial center for major investment companies around the world.
Abu Dhabi Global has developed into one of the largest financial districts in the world, extending over an area of ​​14.3 million square meters, including Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands.
Talents and competencies constitute a fundamental pillar of Abu Dhabi Global’s success, and based on its commitment to Abu Dhabi’s ambitious vision to consolidate its position as a capital city, Abu Dhabi Global has played a pivotal role in preparing human capital that will lead the journey of development and innovation and establish a culture of inclusion and flexibility.
Since its establishment in 2015, the workforce census within its system has recorded an annual growth rate of 23% until the end of 2024.
With the completion of the expansion to Al Reem Island, the geographical scope of Abu Dhabi Global has now included Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, and today it includes more than 36,000 people who contribute to the growth and development of the thriving financial system in the heart of the capital.
This growth reflects the increasing attractiveness of Abu Dhabi, which provides a leading modern environment with the best elements for living, working and prosperity. It is one of the safest cities in the world and ranks highly in quality of life indicators.
In addition to growth indicators, the center has established its regional leadership position in regulatory innovation, by building an advanced legal system that keeps pace with the requirements of the future and enhances the confidence of global investors. From virtual assets and the foundations of distributed ledger technology for institutions and fixed digital currencies backed by fiat currencies and real estate assets, to capital markets, alternative investment funds, private credit, and financing related to sustainability and environmental, social, and governance standards, Abu Dhabi Global and its regulatory authorities have contributed to developing advanced legislative frameworks based on global best practices.

Initiatives such as the Regulatory Laboratory and the Digital Tools and Financial Technology Laboratory, in addition to the efforts made in the field of combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and chairing the Sustainable Finance Working Group in the UAE, also contributed to consolidating integrity and reliability in the Abu Dhabi Global System.
In 2024, Abu Dhabi Global launched its new corporate identity under the slogan “The Future is an Approach,” a strong message that embodies its mission as an accelerator of growth, communication and innovation in Abu Dhabi and the region.
Abu Dhabi Global intends to move forward in leading regulatory standards and innovation efforts, and to develop a new vision for the concept of the “International Financial Center” to become a global gateway, a platform for change, and an attractive destination for young talents and emerging competencies in the financial field.
In parallel, the most prominent annual financial event, “Abu Dhabi Financial Week,” continues its rapid growth and consolidation of its position as one of the most important global financial gatherings, which enhances Abu Dhabi’s international presence and establishes its position as a leading destination for finance and business in the world.

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