SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

As Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) marked its 10th anniversary, business leaders hailed its transformation into one of the world’s most dynamic financial centres, saying the international financial hub has become a symbol of the UAE’s ambition, innovation, and global appeal.

During the celebrations, executives from leading firms described how ADGM’s growth over the past decade has redefined the region’s financial landscape, offering a world-class regulatory framework, access to sovereign capital, and a thriving ecosystem of asset managers, family offices, and global funds.

Dr Karim El Solh, CEO and Co-Founder of Gulf Capital, told Aletihad that Abu Dhabi’s rise as a financial hub reflects not only sound regulation but also strong fundamentals.

“ADGM is a great venue to cover Asia, the Middle East, and Africa,” he said. “We are licensed in a number of cities like London and Sydney, but Abu Dhabi is our hometown. Our shareholder base is here, backed by the government, sovereign wealth funds, and pension funds. The growth in the wider GCC is remarkable, so it’s a good place to be based in and to be investing.”

For El Solh, technology has become a central part of that story.

“Abu Dhabi and the UAE are leaders in the global adoption of AI, so it’s a great place to be and to use AI and technology to improve our operations,” he added.

El Solh described the milestone as a sign of strength: “ADGM is going from strength to strength. The fact that it is at full capacity is a strong testament to its appeal as a destination.”

That confidence was echoed by Hassina Harkati, Senior Executive Officer of Arden Limited and Managing Director at Arden Group, who described ADGM as both a regulatory success and a community of opportunity.

“ADGM is perfect for our business because it allows us, through its robust regulatory framework and unique networking venues, to connect with the most sophisticated financial players and sovereign funds,” she said.

Comparing Abu Dhabi to other global hubs, she added: “Abu Dhabi is now attracting players from all over the world. That is shown not only by its political stability but also by its impressive growth pace. The support from the government and the regulator helps us implement our business, network with other players, and source deals, both primary and secondary.”

Reflecting on ADGM’s decade, she added: “It is already 10 years, but it is also only 10 years, and they have achieved a lot. I am very positively impressed by the skilled staff, their reactivity, and their business-oriented mindset. What made ADGM our home is that it feels similar to other international financial places. It’s my pleasure to be part of this journey.”

Reinforcing that sentiment, Emira Socorro, Managing Director and Senior Executive Officer at PGIM, said ADGM embodies Abu Dhabi’s ability to align capital with purpose.

“For a global asset manager, Abu Dhabi’s most distinct asset is its collaborative environment and relentless focus on execution. When we hear the phrase ‘Capital of Capital,’ it means much more than just a concentration of financial wealth,” she said.

“It confirms that the emirate is a place where capital is actively and strategically deployed to build the future, representing the convergence of financial capital, intellectual capital, and execution capability in one cohesive ecosystem,” she added.

Socorro said this collaborative energy “enables us to quickly stitch together vital partnerships for initiatives like RealAssetX Abu Dhabi.”