Abu Dhabi’s ADGM reports more than 11,000 active licences, strong growth in H1

Image: ADGM

ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, reinforced its position as the largest and fastest-growing financial hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during the first half of 2025, reporting more than 11,000 active licences and a 42 per cent jump in assets under management (AUM).

The centre also became the region’s largest IFC by market capitalisation of its registered entities listed on a stock exchange, reflecting ADGM’s role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s non-oil economy, which expanded to 9.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2025.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADGM, said: “As we approach a decade of operations, ADGM’s sustained commitment to excellence is strongly reflected not just in its growth numbers, but also in the rising global confidence in Abu Dhabi’s role as a financial powerhouse and the ‘Capital of Capital’.”

Its operational entities grew to 2,972 during H1, a 42 per cent increase year-on-year, including 308 financial firms and 2,664 non-financial firms.

The centre issued 1,869 new licences, a 47 per cent increase, bringing the total number of active licences to 11,128.

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) issued 52 In-Principle Approvals (IPAs) for financial services firms, up 27 per cent year-on-year, and granted 45 new Financial Services Permissions (FSPs), a 45 per cent increase.

Key global and regional firms operating from the financial centre during H1 included Kimmeridge, Fortress, Circle, Oryx Global Partners, GMB Limited, Partners Group, Carta, Bitcoin Suisse, Tradition, Bitgrit, Harrison Street, Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, Hidden Roads, Polen Capital, Arcapita, Seviora, Aquila Group, Skadden, PATRIZIA, NewVest, Investindustrial and Digital Climate Middle East.

ADGM’s asset management sector saw AUM rise 42 per cent compared to H1 2024. Registered fund and asset managers reached 154, while total funds increased to 209.

US-based Nuveen, managing $3bn–5bn from ADGM, expects regional AUM to double within three years.

ADX: Significant partnerships and milestones

• Fortress Investment Group: established a permanent ADGM office and a USD 1 bn global credit and real estate co-investment with Mubadala.

• Kimmeridge: inaugurated its ADGM office and signed an MoU with Mubadala Energy to co-develop natural gas and LNG ventures.

• IHC, BlackRock, and Lunate: launched a $1 bn+ AI-native reinsurance platform.

• Mubadala and Alpha Dhabi: scaled ADGM-based private credit joint venture to $2.5 bn.

• ADGM became the region’s largest IFC by market capitalisation, with listed entities on ADX surpassing Dhs500bn.

The financial centre maintained global engagement with participation in London’s CityWeek 2025 and roadshows to China and Japan alongside Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

Workforce expansion continued with 35,964 professionals on Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands. Abu Dhabi’s population rose 7.5 per cent in 2024 to 4.14 m residents.

Regulatory and operational milestones

• FSRA concluded MoUs with Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Hong Kong, and Sweden.

• Introduced guidance on sanctions compliance, cybercrime, and cybersecurity; legislative updates aligned with Basel Core Principles and fund regime reporting.

• RA launched AccessRP for property verification and Commercial Permits Regulations, simplified Fees Rules, and signed MoU with Astana International Financial Centre.

• RA conducted 223 per cent more supervision assessments versus H1 2024.

• ADGM Courts launched the Pro Bono Mediators Panel.

• IBA announced IBA Arbitration Day 2026 in Abu Dhabi at ADGM.

ADGM Academy delivered 100 training sessions to over 2,600 participants, hosted 49 sector-specific events, created 900+ job placements for Emiratis, and published eight research papers on AI, cybersecurity, financial crime, and digital asset custody.

As the financial centre approaches its 10th anniversary in October, the centre continues to focus on long-term impact through regulatory innovation, institutional partnerships, and a resilient ecosystem for global finance.