Today's Edition
A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
L’IMAD Holding shot into the limelight after acquiring the stakes held by International Holding Company (IHC) and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) in Modon, an Abu Dhabi-based property developer.
Subsequently, the Abu Dhabi government announced that L’IMAD Holding is a sovereign investment platform of the Abu Dhabi government, mandated to support sustainable economic growth, diversify revenue sources, and generate optimal investment returns for the emirate.
In a statement issued by the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA), it was announced that His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, will chair the board of directors of L’IMAD Holding.
The statement said L’IMAD will develop and manage a diversified portfolio of assets and projects across priority sectors in the UAE and internationally, including infrastructure and real estate, financial services and asset management, advanced industries and technologies, urban mobility, and smart cities. It added that the platform will work with local and international partners to create long-term economic and social value, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for investment and innovation.
Global SWF, an independent research and data platform specialising in sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds worldwide, has described L’IMAD as the fourth sovereign investment platform of Abu Dhabi, alongside Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Mubadala, and ADQ.
YVN Holdings — the owner of McLaren Automotive and a shareholder in Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc — is now part of L’IMAD Holding, according to a Bloomberg report. A US regulatory filing confirmed that L’IMAD Holding now controls the owner of the partial stake in Nio.
Commenting on the creation of the new platform, Hend Al Otaiba, Founder of HAO Strategies and former UAE Ambassador to France, said: “The creation of L’IMAD Holding reflects the confidence and clarity that have long characterised Abu Dhabi’s leadership approach to long-term economic stewardship.”
She added that under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the platform signals continuity in governance and a strong belief in institutional evolution as a driver of sustainable growth.
The former diplomat said the establishment of L’IMAD reflects leadership that acts with conviction and long-term clarity, even during periods of global uncertainty.
Referring to the creation of a new sovereign investment platform in addition to ADIA, Mubadala and ADQ, Al Otaiba said the addition of L’IMAD reinforces an ecosystem designed to operate across economic cycles with coherence, credibility, and strategic intent.
“Abu Dhabi has built one of the most credible and resilient sovereign investment ecosystems globally. Its strength lies not only in scale, but in governance discipline, clarity of roles, and a long-term orientation that has been consistently applied over decades,” she said.
Asked whether the creation of a new investment platform was necessary when existing institutions could have served the purpose, Al Otaiba said Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investment framework has always evolved in line with the economy it supports.
“As opportunities become more complex and global dynamics shift, institutional evolution is both natural and deliberate,” she said. “The establishment of L’IMAD reflects a forward-looking approach that strengthens the overall architecture while preserving the discipline and focus that define Abu Dhabi’s investment institutions.”
Referring to the mission of the new platform, she said L’IMAD has been launched with a clearly defined direction set by its leadership. “The emphasis on building diversified, future-oriented assets across strategic sectors aligns naturally with Abu Dhabi’s broader economic vision and its focus on long-term value creation, partnership-driven growth, and institutional resilience.”
On whether L’IMAD could boost entrepreneurship through funding and partnerships, Al Otaiba — who previously served as the UAE’s official spokesperson on the global stage, — said: “Any decision by L’IMAD to engage with entrepreneurs or early-stage ventures would be taken by its leadership where such engagement aligns with its priorities and long-term objectives.” She added that such a selective approach has consistently underpinned the strength and credibility of Abu Dhabi’s investment ecosystem.
Concluding her remarks, Al Otaiba said few global capitals combine scale, governance and long-term discipline as consistently as Abu Dhabi. “Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the platform strengthens the emirate’s ability to shape long-term economic outcomes, deepen international partnerships, and remain a trusted destination for global capital and innovation.”
Echoing these views, Gregor Riemann, Managing Partner at Mithras Partners, said the establishment of L’IMAD reflects Abu Dhabi’s continued maturation of its sovereign investment ecosystem. “As scale and complexity increase, clearer segmentation of mandates becomes essential,” Riemann said.
He noted that Abu Dhabi stands out for the sophistication of its sovereign investment framework, with institutions such as ADIA, Mubadala and ADQ operating under distinct and complementary mandates: "L’IMAD appears designed to address specific strategic objectives that sit at the intersection of long-term investment and economic development, particularly in areas where flexibility, partnership models and platform-style investing are increasingly important.”
Riemann added that the new platform will need to be decisive in positioning itself, with clear delineation from other sovereign investment vehicles.
Referring to the emirate’s sovereign investment culture, he said: “The launch of L’IMAD reinforces Abu Dhabi’s methodical approach to sovereign capital deployment and reflects an ongoing effort to optimise portfolios while supporting diversification and growth.”
If executed as outlined, Riemann said, the establishment should further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for investment.
