Abu Dhabi Financial Sector Surges as Global Wealth Shifts East
Amie Roberts • July 22, 2025
Abu Dhabi's Financial Power Play
While Dubai steals headlines, Abu Dhabi is building something quieter—but no less impressive. Its financial centre, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), is becoming a serious global player, with asset managers, family offices, and sovereign wealth players setting up shop at record pace.
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What the Numbers Say
- ADGM recorded a 32% increase in registered firms in the past year
- Assets under management have surged by 245%
- Top-tier firms like BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and Brevan Howard now operate from Abu Dhabi
- This rapid growth signals Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a trusted centre for institutional wealth.
Key Attractions
Robust legal system
– Based on English common law
International credibility
– Regulated to global financial standards
Strategic sector focus
– Encouraging fintech, asset management, and private banking
Proximity to sovereign wealth
– The UAE’s biggest SWFs are headquartered here
Institutional Focus, Private Wealth Potential
While ADGM is more institution-focused than Dubai, it’s also becoming a hub for:
- Private equity structures
- Fund platforms
- Single and multi-family offices
- Islamic finance and sukuk investments
For UHNW families, Abu Dhabi provides a quiet, discreet base for global capital allocation.
Regional Competition or Synergy?
Rather than compete, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are offering complementary services:
- Dubai: Lifestyle, start-ups, global visibility
- Abu Dhabi: Institutional capital, long-term policy, tech depth
- Together, they create an unbeatable UAE wealth platform.
Conclusion: A Centre for Global Capital
Abu Dhabi’s rise is part of a broader Gulf narrative: long-term planning, economic diversification, and an embrace of global finance. For serious players in investment management and private capital, it’s no longer a question of if, but when they should establish a presence there.
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