ADGM Turns 10 As Abu Dhabis $28.6tn Finance Hub Achieves Record Growth

Since its establishment in 2015, ADGM has grown into one of the world’s fastest-expanding financial hubs, attracting more than 300 financial institutions managing a combined $28.6tn in global assets, according to the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA).

The milestone firmly positions the emirate as the “Capital of Capital.”

Financial firms flourish

Over the past three years, the number of financial firms operating within ADGM has increased from 131 at the end of 2021 to 308 as of H1 2025 — a 135 per cent rise in just 42 months.

The IFC achieved the goals of its five-year Growth Strategy (2022–2027) within only three years, cementing its reputation as one of the most dynamic and agile financial centres globally.

ADGM now holds the title of the largest financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region by active licences.

Its Assets Under Management (AUM) have grown at an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 123 per cent since inception, while fund and asset management activity rose 62 per cent and operational entities expanded by 62 per cent over the same period.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said the centre’s success reflected Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision and leadership:

He said: “Aligned with the vision and guidance of Abu Dhabi’s strategic leadership, ADGM has seen unprecedented growth within its short history and matured into a global financial powerhouse, attracting some of the world’s leading financial institutions.

“As we look to the next decade, our ambition to make ADGM one of the top five international financial centres globally is stronger than ever.”

Record-breaking momentum in H1 2025

Recent figures underscore ADGM’s sustained expansion. In H1 2025, Assets Under Management rose 42 per cent year-on-year, while 154 fund and asset managers oversaw 209 funds.

The number of active licences reached 11,128, the highest in the region, with operational entities increasing 42 per cent to 2,972.

This growth highlights ADGM’s role in attracting global institutional investors and anchoring major financial operations within Abu Dhabi.

ADGM’s reputation for regulatory trust is underpinned by its direct application of English common law — the only jurisdiction in the region to do so. Its strong ties with Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds, which collectively hold $1.82tn in assets, further strengthen its position as a preferred destination for global financial firms.

Among the international institutions now operating from ADGM are:

• BlackRock
• State Street Global Advisors
• PGIM
• Nuveen
• Carlyle
• Apollo
• UBS
• HarbourVest
• PATRIZIA
• Monroe Capital
• Investindustrial

These entrants reinforce the IFC’s role as a global bridge between East and West capital flows.

Expanding across Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands

ADGM’s success is also physical. Its jurisdiction now spans 14.3 million square metres across Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, making it one of the largest financial districts in the world.

The expansion to Al Reem increased its area tenfold, supporting growing demand from international institutions seeking a strategic regional base.

The district integrates commercial, residential, educational, and healthcare facilities, including the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University, and Repton School, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a world-class city for business and lifestyle.

ADGM human capital

At the heart of ADGM’s success lies human capital. The financial district’s workforce has grown at an AAGR of 23 per cent, with more than 36,000 professionals now part of its ecosystem.

This talent base supports the UAE capital’s transformation into a modern “Renaissance state,” where finance, technology, and culture intersect.

ADGM’s emphasis on education, inclusion, and sustainability has made it a platform for next-generation talent and innovation-led growth.

ADGM has been at the forefront of regulatory innovation, introducing globally aligned frameworks for Virtual Assets, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) Foundations, Fiat-Referenced Tokenisation (FRT), and Sustainable Finance. Initiatives such as RegLab, the Fintech Digital Sandbox, and its leadership of the UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) have reinforced its role as a regulatory pioneer.

These measures, along with strong enforcement in Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT), have created a trusted environment for global investors while advancing Abu Dhabi’s ambitions in digital assets, AI, and green finance.

The Path to Forward

ADGM’s next phase is guided by its 2024 brand platform, ‘The Path to Forward’, symbolising its mission to foster growth, connectivity, and innovation for Abu Dhabi and the wider region.

Over the next decade, ADGM aims to join the top five international financial centres, alongside New York, London, and Singapore. Its global expansion will include international roadshows and an enhanced programme around Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), now one of the world’s largest gatherings in global finance.

As ADGM celebrates its tenth anniversary, it stands as both a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation and a catalyst for the next decade of financial leadership in the Middle East and beyond.