Since its establishment in 2015, ADGM has grown into one of the fastest growing financial centers, attracting more than 300 financial institutions that manage a combined $28.6tn in global assets, according to another area of global management (AIMA).
Milestone firmly positions the Emirate as the “capital of capital.”
Financial firms are thriving
Over the past three years, the number of financial companies operating within the ADGM has increased from 131 at the end of 2021 to 308 as of H1 2025 – a 135 percent increase in just 42 months.
IFC has achieved the goals of its five-year growth plan (2022-2027) Within three years, it has established its reputation as one of the most powerful and oldest financial institutions in the world.
Adgm now holds the title of the largest financial institution in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (Average) region with active licenses.
Its assets under management (AUM) have grown at an annual average rate (augs) of 123 percent since inception, while the money and asset management business has grown by 62 percent over the same period.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of Adgm, said the success of the facility reflected Abu Dhabi’s vision and leadership:
He said: “In line with the vision and leadership of Abu Dhabi’s strategic leadership, ADGM has seen unprecedented growth in its short history and has matured into a leading financial institution, 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 global financial institutions is stronger than ever.”
Record-Breaking Momerem in H1 2025
The latest figures emphasize the continued expansion of Adgm. In H1 2025, assets under management rose 42 percent year-on-year, while 154 money managers and asset managers managed 209 funds.
The number of active licenses reached 11,128, the highest in the region, with operating organizations increasing by 42 percent to 2,972.
This growth highlights Adgm’s role in attracting global institutional investors and exploring major financial activities in Abu Dhabi.
Adgm’s reputation for regulatory trust is due to its direct application of English common law – the only law in the region to do so. Its strong ties with Abu Dhabi’s Englival Funds, which jointly hold $1.82tn in assets, further strengthen its position as a preferred destination for global financial institutions.
Among the global institutions now operating from Adgm are:
- A bucket
- State Street Global Advisors
- Kind of
- Nuveen
- He’s a cheater
- They broke
- Us
- Harbourwaved
- The pronouns
- Monroe money
- Investment money
Those who enter strengthen IFC’s role as a global bridge between East and West Capital.
Extending beyond Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands
Adgm success is also physical. Its territory now covers 14.3 million square meters between Al Maryah Island of Al Maryah and Al Rem Island, making it one of the largest financial districts in the world.
The expansion to Al Beem expands its leanfold area, supporting the growing demand from international institutions seeking a strategic regional base.
The district includes commercial, residential, educational, and healthcare centers, including the Cleveland Clinic, Sorbonne University, and Reton School, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a world-class city for business and lifestyle.
Adgm is the capital of the people
At the heart of adgm’s success is quality. The financial district’s workforce grew at an augress of 23 percent, with more than 36,000 professionals now part of its ecosystem.
This talent base supports the transformation of the UAE Capital into a “Renaissance State,” where capital, technology and culture meet.
Adgm’s emphasis on education, inclusion, and sustainability has made it a platform for next-generation talent and growth.
Adgm has been at the forefront of innovation, introducing globally aligned frameworks for physical assets, the foundations of Ledger Technology (DLT), FIAT-Refenced Tokenation (FRT), and stable finance. Initiatives such as reglab, a fintech digital sandbox, and its leadership of the UAE Sustainable Finance Shicial Group (SFWG) are true to its pioneering role.
These measures, along with strong enforcement in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter financing of terrorism (CFT), have created a credible environment for local investors, AI, and Green finance.
The way forward
Adgm’s next phase is guided by its brand platform 2024, ‘the way forward’, which reflects its mission to increase growth, connectivity, and innovation for Abu Dhabi and the wider region.
In the next ten years, Adgm aims to join the top five financial institutions, alongside New York, London, and Singapore. Its global expansion will include international roadways and an enhanced program around the Abu Dhabi Financial Week (ADFW), now one of the largest gatherings in the world.
As adgm celebrates its tenth anniversary, it stands as a symbol of Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation and a catalyst for the next decade of financial leadership in the Middle East and beyond.
