An integrated financial environment continues to develop in Abu Dhabi, supporting asset management growth and the expansion of global firms, with an advanced legal and regulatory framework, specialised talent and access to long-term capital providing the foundations for continued sector development.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi, recorded 54 per cent year-on-year growth in assets under management in the first half of 2026, while the number of fund and asset managers operating from the centre rose from 154 to 190. The results reflect the emirate's growing role as a base for global asset managers, supported by ADGM’s direct application of the English common law, its competitive tax framework and dedicated fund management regime.
The Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 40), published in September 2026, ranked Abu Dhabi 13th globally and 15th for investment management, while the inaugural Financial Centre Competitiveness Index from the Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi ranked the emirate first globally for regulatory innovation.
Global asset managers
Capital Group, which manages US$3.6 trillion in assets, secured its licence from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) on 7 October 2026, while BlackRock received its commercial licence to operate in Abu Dhabi in November 2024. Bain Capital, Barings and Hillhouse Investment are among other recent arrivals. Asset managers that established a presence in ADGM in the first half of 2026 oversee more than US$2.1 trillion in global assets, while the number of funds managed from ADGM rose from 209 to 276.
Fund manager regime
Enhancements to the FSRA's funds framework took effect on 16 September 2026. The new Institutional Fund Manager category serves institutional investors exclusively, with a minimum subscription of US$5 million per investor, no aggregate committed-capital ceiling and a base capital requirement starting at US$50,000. The Sub-Threshold Fund Manager category applies to managers with up to US$200 million in committed capital. Funds may be structured as investment companies, limited partnerships, investment trusts or protected and incorporated cell companies.
Legal and tax framework
ADGM applies English common law directly under its Application of English Law Regulations 2015, with disputes heard by ADGM Courts, which are modelled on the English judicial system. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on Corporate Tax, regulated fund and wealth management is a qualifying activity, enabling a Qualifying Free Zone Person to benefit from a 0 per cent rate on qualifying income. ADGM offers 100 per cent foreign ownership, no restrictions on the repatriation of profits and no withholding tax. According to the Ministry of Finance, the UAE has concluded 137 double taxation agreements.
Talent and capital
The number of financial services entities operating in ADGM rose by 27 per cent, from 308 in the first half of 2025 to 392 in the first half of 2026, while the combined workforce across Al Maryah and Al Reem islands reached 49,027 in the first half of 2026.
ADGM Academy also trained 1,607 Emirati nationals during the first half of 2026, supporting the development of specialised skills and career pathways in the financial sector.
According to Global SWF’s October 2026 report, Mubadala was the most active sovereign fund of 2025, deploying a record US$32.7 billion across 40 transactions, while Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds managed US$2.2 trillion as of the end of the first half of 2026.
Through its regulatory and legal framework, expanding financial infrastructure and access to international expertise and long-term capital, Abu Dhabi continues to support the development of its asset management sector and its integration with global financial markets.
