"Abu Dhabi International" Recording a 57% growth in the volume of assets under management during the first quarter
ABU DHABI, 18th May, 2020 – Abu Dhabi Global Company (ADGM) announced a strong start to the year 2026, driven by the continued expansion of its financial system and the solid confidence of global investors.
According to a statement issued today, Abu Dhabi Global recorded a 57% growth in the volume of assets under management, which confirms the continued momentum in business and the increasing demand from global and regional asset management companies.
It achieved a remarkable achievement by exceeding the barrier of 13,353 active licenses, including 961 licenses issued during the first quarter of 2026, which strengthened its position as the largest financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region according to this indicator.
The month of March 2026 recorded a 5.2% increase in the number of active licenses compared to March 2025, which reflects the confidence of the business sector and the continuous increase in the volume of demand for a presence in Abu Dhabi Global.
This record performance reflects the long-term strategic vision of Abu Dhabi Global, which aims to consolidate its position among the top five financial centers in the world.
His Excellency Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Global, said that Abu Dhabi Global’s results during the first quarter of 2026 reflect the accelerated momentum witnessed by the financial sector in Abu Dhabi, and the accompanying continuous strengthening of its presence on the international arena. He stressed that exceeding 13,000 active licenses and achieving a 57% growth in the volume of assets under management constitute an important achievement in the growth process, and confirm Abu Dhabi Global’s position among the fastest growing international financial centers in the world. Investor confidence in Abu Dhabi remains strong and strong, as capital flows continue to rise, international companies expand their business, and the emirate continues to attract more talent.
His Excellency noted that Abu Dhabi Global has demonstrated, even during the recent period of fluctuations, its ability to continue growth, which reflects the strength of demand and long-term confidence in the institutional environment that Abu Dhabi embraces.
He pointed out that this continued momentum strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as a stable, reliable and globally connected investment destination, supported by world-class infrastructure, an advanced regulatory framework, and a growing ability to attract international talent and expertise.
His Excellency said: “In today’s economy, competitiveness is measured by the strength of institutions, the reliability of regulatory frameworks, and the ability to provide a stable and sustainable environment for capital. Abu Dhabi Global continues to build an interconnected global financial center designed for a new phase, combining openness, innovation and good governance, thus enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a capital capital.”
The asset management sector at Abu Dhabi Global continued its strong upward trajectory during the first quarter of 2026, supported by the joining of leading global investment institutions and continued capital flows into the system.
In addition to the strong 57% growth in the volume of assets under management, the number of asset and fund managers increased to 179 managers, an increase of 24% compared to 144 managers in the first quarter of 2025.
The total number of funds managed from Abu Dhabi Global reached 263 funds, recording a growth of 43% compared to 184 funds in the same period last year.
This growth reflects the depth and diversity of the fund ecosystem, which includes private investment, venture capital, hedge funds, and sustainable financing strategies.
In total, the asset management companies that announced the establishment of their business in Abu Dhabi Global during the year 2026 represent more than $4.4 trillion in global assets under management, which enhances the center’s growing position as a major hub for institutional capital, and contributes to supporting the overall growth of assets under management during the first quarter of 2026.
This momentum reflects Abu Dhabi Global’s continued attractiveness to global asset managers, supported by an advanced regulatory framework, easy access to capital, and its strategic location as a leading asset management center in the region.
The business system in Abu Dhabi Global continued to expand, with the total number of active licenses reaching 13,353, including 961 new licenses issued during the first quarter of 2026.
This represents a net increase of 2,783 licenses since the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the continued confidence of the business community and strong demand across various sectors.
The number of operating companies increased significantly to 3,741 companies, recording a growth of 34.52% compared to 2,781 companies in the first quarter of 2025.
This growth is based on a set of initiatives launched by Abu Dhabi Global in the real estate sector, the most prominent of which was the introduction of the real estate brokers classification framework with the aim of raising the standards of the sector, in addition to the launch of a new package of real estate services to enhance ease of access and flexibility, through the registration authority in Abu Dhabi Global.
He announced the opening of his new service center at the “Galleria Al Maryah Island” in February 2026, which will enhance direct communication with companies and residents on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands.
The financial services sector in the center recorded continuous growth, as the number of financial services companies increased to 365 companies, an increase of 30% compared to 281 companies in the first quarter of 2025.
At the same time, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority issued 22 initial approvals during the first quarter of 2026. In addition, entities obtained 29 new licenses to practice financial services during the same period, representing an increase of 45% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
The latest statistics for 2026 showed a series of important announcements for global and regional asset management companies and financial institutions that have established their presence in Abu Dhabi Global, including companies managing billions and trillions of dollars in assets such as Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital, Hillhouse Investment, Mozenic & Co., Madison Realty Capital, and Grow Investment Group.
Companies such as Rokos Capital Management, Polygreen Holdings, and Hashid also announced the establishment of branches in Abu Dhabi Global, which contributes to enhancing the diversity of the asset management system, to include hedge funds, alternative investments, and digital assets.
The workforce at Abu Dhabi Global continued its remarkable growth, reaching 47,047 employees, recording an increase of 44% during the first quarter of 2026.
During the same period, Abu Dhabi Global Academy succeeded in providing 441 employment opportunities for Emirati citizens across 9 specialized tracks, supported by 9 accredited international certificates for professional development and rehabilitation.
Abu Dhabi Global continued to strengthen its international presence during the year 2026 through a series of high-level participations, strategic partnerships, and participation in the most important global forums, which strengthens its position as an interconnected global financial center.
In Asia, Abu Dhabi Global expanded its presence through participation in major financial centers, including China, India and Singapore, with the aim of deepening bilateral relations and enhancing cross-border investment flows.
One of the most important of these steps is the signing of a strategic partnership with the Futian District in Shenzhen, to enhance cooperation between Abu Dhabi and one of the most prominent financial centers in China, with a focus on supporting innovation, financial market interconnection, and business exchange.
Abu Dhabi strengthened its global financial connection through strategic cooperation with Italy, led by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Global, in support of expanding areas of cooperation in investment, financial services, and institutional partnerships.
These participations reflect Abu Dhabi Global’s ongoing efforts to build long-term relationships with major international markets and facilitate access to global capital.
Recently, Abu Dhabi Global continued its strong presence in the United States through its participation in the Milken Institute Global Conference 2026, one of the most important global gatherings that brings together investors, policy makers and business leaders from around the world.
On the sidelines of the conference, Abu Dhabi Global held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with a number of the most prominent global financial institutions, including Bain Capital, Vista Equity Partners, and Man Group, to discuss opportunities to enhance cooperation and expand its presence within the financial system in Abu Dhabi.
These international participations confirm Abu Dhabi Global’s commitment to strengthening global partnerships, supporting cross-border capital flows, and consolidating Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for the global financial sector.
These results reflect the continued development of Abu Dhabi Global as a global financial center with highly competitive capabilities, supported by an advanced regulatory environment, well-established governance standards, and consistency with the long-term economic vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Global continues its commitment to supporting innovation in the financial services sector, promoting sustainable financing initiatives, and empowering the next generation of financial institutions and technologies.
As the global economic landscape continues to develop, the Center continues to consolidate its position as a reliable gateway for capital flows between regional and international markets, through a flexible, transparent and forward-looking system that meets the aspirations of companies and investors alike.
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