Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has reported a record start to 2026, with assets under management rising 57 percent year-on-year and total active licences passing 13,353, according to The National, Arabian Business and Abu Dhabi Media Office.
The headline numbers
ADGM issued 961 new licences during the first quarter alone, while March 2026 saw a 5.2 percent increase in new active licences against March 2025 (per Abu Dhabi Media Office). The financial centre reinforced its position as the largest international financial centre by active licences in the MEASA region, which covers the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
Asset management drives the surge
The 57 percent AUM jump was led by an inflow of global fund managers. The number of asset and fund managers operating in ADGM rose to 179, up 24 percent from 144 in the first quarter of 2025, and the total number of funds managed out of ADGM reached 263, a 43 percent increase from 184 a year earlier (per The National). Firms that established operations in ADGM during 2026 collectively represent more than $4.4 trillion in global assets under management, according to figures cited by Arabian Business.
Wider business footprint
The broader operating base is also expanding. Operational entities rose 34.52 percent year-on-year to 3,741, compared with 2,781 in Q1 2025, while financial services entities increased 30 percent to 365 (per Abu Dhabi Media Office). The hubs workforce climbed 44 percent during the quarter to 47,047 employees, indicating that the growth is translating into on-the-ground hiring as well as paper licensing.
Why it matters for Abu Dhabi
The numbers fit Abu Dhabis push to position itself as the capital of capital in the region. As more sovereign-linked vehicles, hedge funds and private credit platforms set up on Al Maryah and Al Reem islands, ADGM is increasingly competing with global centres for mandates rather than just regional flows (per Arabian Business). The 44 percent workforce growth, in particular, suggests that demand for compliance, legal and middle-office talent in Abu Dhabi will remain strong through the rest of 2026.
What to watch next
Analysts cited by The National expect continued inflows tied to family offices, tokenised assets and AI-focused funds, building on recent regulatory updates from ADGM. If the first-quarter pace holds, 2026 is on track to be a record full year for the centre on both licensing and AUM measures.
