Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth funds collectively manage $1.808 trillion in assets, according to the latest data published by Global SWF and updated in December last year.
The emirate is home to the country’s three largest sovereign investors, which together anchor Abu Dhabi’s long-term capital allocation strategy across global equity markets, fixed income, real assets, and private investments.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is the largest of the three, with assets of $1.187 trillion, making it not only the biggest sovereign fund in the Gulf but also the fourth-largest sovereign wealth fund globally by assets under management, according to the latest Global SWF ranking. ADIA invests worldwide across public markets, real estate, infrastructure and private equity.
Mubadala Investment Company manages $358 billion in assets. Formed through the 2017 merger of Mubadala Development Company and IPIC, and later absorbing the Abu Dhabi Investment Council, Mubadala has built a portfolio centred on capital-intensive sectors such as aerospace, semiconductors, healthcare, real estate and renewable energy, alongside a growing roster of operating companies.
The third Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor is ADQ, which oversees $263 billion. Established in 2018 and rebranded in 2020, ADQ has evolved into a strategic holding company with domestic and international investments spanning food security, logistics, industry and consumer-focused sectors.
When sovereign wealth funds across all emirates and at the federal level are combined, total UAE SWF assets reach approximately $2.509 trillion, highlighting the country’s growing weight among global state investors.
At the federal level, the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA) manages $116 billion, acting as custodian of national assets and holding major stakes in telecom operators e& and du, as well as interests in federal entities including Emirates Post and Emirates Transport.
Dubai’s principal sovereign investor, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), manages $429 billion in assets. The fund ranks as the ninth-largest sovereign wealth fund globally by AUM and holds a diversified portfolio that includes Emirates airline, ENOC, Dubai Duty Free, and Atlantis The Palm.
Dubai’s broader state investment ecosystem also includes Dubai World, shown with $80 billion in assets, and Dubai Holding, which manages $72 billion, primarily through real estate, hospitality and infrastructure investments.
In Sharjah, Sharjah Asset Management oversees $4 billion as the emirate’s investment and asset management arm, according to Global SWF data.
Beyond sovereign wealth funds, the UAE’s state-managed assets also include pension funds and the central bank, taking the overall total to about $2.894 trillion.
The General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) manages $54 billion, providing pension and social security coverage for Emiratis across the public and private sectors.
The Abu Dhabi Pension Fund (ADPF) oversees $57 billion, managing pension contributions and end-of-service benefits for Emiratis in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of the UAE manages $274 billion in assets, reflecting its role as the country’s monetary authority and financial regulator.
