Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Over the past decade, Abu Dhabi has turned capital into an instrument of global influence, building a trusted, dynamic financial ecosystem led by the 10-year-old ADGM.
In this exclusive conversation, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), explains how this approach elevated the emirate’s global standing, built resilience beyond oil, and positioned ADGM among leading financial centres.
Framed as the “Capital of Capital,” Abu Dhabi’s global role, Al Zaabi noted, comes less from how much capital it has than how it deploys it. “Abu Dhabi’s strength has never been about how much capital it has — it is about how effectively that capital is used. Rather than relying solely on our energy resources, we have focused on transforming capital into a dynamic ecosystem that drives influence, growth, and opportunity."
His Excellency said the strategy has matured from sovereign wealth investing to a framework anchored in trust, regulation, and global connectivity. "This approach has allowed Abu Dhabi to move beyond being a traditional holder of wealth — we are now an active participant shaping global financial flows."
Al Zaabi said Abu Dhabi channels capital into future sectors, manufacturing, logistics, clean energy, AI, and finance, to sharpen global relevance.
He said Abu Dhabi’s diversification aims to build an economy that thrives in any global climate. "That is why resilience and diversification have been our guiding principles.”
He underscored the shift with recent figures. "Today, non-oil sectors contribute more than 56% of Abu Dhabi’s GDP. We are seeing robust growth in manufacturing, finance, construction, real estate, and professional services. This is the result of years of consistent policy, strong governance, and clear strategic intent."
"Abu Dhabi’s reputation as the Capital of Capital reflects much more than its wealth — it is about credibility, consistency, and confidence."
Al Zaabi said Abu Dhabi’s “Falcon Economy” rests on diversification, digitalisation, top-tier infrastructure and talent, making it agile, sustainable, and globally competitive.
On how Abu Dhabi is often described as a city where opportunity meets quality of life, he noted: “As a premier destination to live, work, and invest, Abu Dhabi continues to attract some of the world’s top talent. What truly sets us apart is the balance we have achieved — a city that combines opportunity with quality of life. Abu Dhabi offers world-class infrastructure, healthcare, and education, alongside cultural depth and environmental sustainability."
Al Zaabi highlighted safety and wellbeing as the core of Abu Dhabi’s value proposition. "We are consistently recognised as the safest city globally, which provides families and professionals with unmatched peace of mind. By offering a lifestyle that prioritises wellbeing, culture, and community, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its reputation not just as a financial hub, but as a global home for talent, enterprise, and ambition. This human-centric approach is essential to our economic strategy.”
Since its establishment in 2015, ADGM has grown rapidly and gained international recognition. “ADGM has played a central role in Abu Dhabi’s economic evolution. We set out to build a financial centre that inspires confidence, and I am proud to say we have achieved that by combining robust regulation with a business-friendly environment. As the only jurisdiction in the MENA region applying English common law directly, ADGM has become a bridge between regional ambition and global opportunity,” Al Zaabi said.
"The centre has attracted more than 300 financial firms, who today manage a combined $28.6 trillion globally, according to estimates from the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA)."
It cements Abu Dhabi’s “Capital of Capital” status across hedge funds, banks, asset managers, private equity, venture capital, and credit funds.
Further, Al Zaabi emphasised the recent acceleration: "Growth over the past three years has been especially rapid, with the number of financial firms rising from 131 at the end of 2021 to 308 as of H1 2025, a 135% growth in 42 months, making ADGM one of the world’s fastest-growing financial hubs in recent years. Meanwhile, ADGM achieved the objectives of its 5-year Growth Strategy (2022-2027) in just three years. "
He outlined the scale and breadth of ADGM’s platform. "Assets under management within the centre have grown at an annual average growth rate of 123%. Today, ADGM is home to 154 asset and fund managers and almost 3,000 operational entities across financial and non-financial sectors. It also has a total of 11,128 active licences, making it the MENA region’s largest financial centre by this measure."
In H1 2025, it issued 1,869 new licences and expanded to Al Reem Island, becoming one of the world’s largest financial centres by area. Its jurisdiction now hosts over 36,000 professionals across Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands.
Partnerships are central, he said, citing a $1 billion Mubadala–Fortress co-investment platform, a $1 billion AI-native reinsurance venture (IHC–BlackRock–Lunate), and new managers like Kimmeridge, Partners Group, and Nuveen.
"This transparent governance and international credibility helped ADGM become the region’s largest international financial centre by market capitalisation by mid-2025, with entities worth over DH500 billion listed on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange," he added.
He added that Abu Dhabi’s blend of finance, urban development, and lifestyle enhances its global appeal.
Abu Dhabi is already at the frontiers of modern finance, from asset management and sustainable capital to fintech, AI, and digital assets.
"Our goal is not to imitate other financial centres, but to set new benchmarks in how capital is governed, grown, and guided. ADGM will continue to lead through regulatory innovation — whether in cyber resilience, fund reporting, or new digital frameworks — and through deeper partnerships with regulators in Hong Kong, Sweden, and Azerbaijan."
He concluded that as finance grows more digital and interconnected, Abu Dhabi is well placed to shape future standards.
"Ten years ago, ADGM was a bold idea. Today, it is a globally recognised financial centre. Tomorrow, we aim to stand among the world’s top five financial hubs — a true force in the global capital network.”
