emirates7 - Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial hub of the UAE capital, recorded another strong quarter of growth and international acclaim, maintaining the momentum achieved during its record-setting year in 2024.
In the first quarter of 2025, ADGM experienced substantial gains across key performance indicators. This growth was driven by sustained global investor trust, regulatory enhancements, and the effective execution of major initiatives within its expanded jurisdiction on Al Reem Island.
Commenting on the positive trajectory, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, stated, “The performance in Q1 2025 sets the stage for another landmark year. It highlights not only ADGM’s ability to sustain growth but also the confidence it commands among global and regional players—further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s global standing as a centre for finance and innovation."
He added that ADGM, known as the world’s safest and most dynamic jurisdiction for asset and wealth management, is growing with purpose—welcoming top firms, enhancing global partnerships, and championing digital and sustainable transformation. The centre remains committed to capital formation and innovation in line with the UAE’s long-term economic vision.
The asset management sector continued to serve as a key growth indicator. Assets under management rose by 33% compared to Q1 2024. By the end of Q1 2025, 119 asset and fund managers oversaw 184 funds within ADGM.
Operational entities within ADGM also saw a 43% year-on-year increase, reaching 2,781. Financial services entities grew by 26% to 367. Additionally, newly issued licences rose by 67%, reflecting a rising demand from global firms eager to access Abu Dhabi’s unique financial and regulatory framework.
High-profile companies that joined ADGM during this period include Skadden, Investindustrial, NewVest, Arcapita, Polen Capital, Seviora, Olive Gaea, TON, and Aquila Group.
Human capital remains central to ADGM’s ‘Capital of Capital’ strategy. The workforce on Al Maryah Island reached over 29,000—marking a 17% increase from Q1 2024. Meanwhile, 3,509 new work permits were issued for businesses on Al Reem Island.
To further support workforce development, ADGM introduced updated Employment Regulations, enhancing employee protections while maintaining business flexibility. These reforms reinforce ADGM’s appeal as a global destination for talent and a promoter of sustainable economic development.
ADGM’s jurisdictional expansion to Al Reem Island proved effective. By Q1 2025, over 600 new businesses had established operations there, while more than 500 existing companies transitioned to ADGM licences. In total, 1,100 new entities now operate within the expanded zone.
In January, ADGM revised its commercial licensing fee structure—cutting costs by at least 50% for non-financial and retail businesses. The simplified flat fee of AED 1,000 replaced a tiered model, making it easier for startups and SMEs to enter and grow within the ADGM framework.
March saw ADGM sign an MoU with Chainlink, a leading force in onchain finance, to collaborate on compliant tokenisation frameworks. The quarter also welcomed Stacks Asia and Bitgrit to ADGM’s DLT ecosystem, supported by its globally recognised DLT Foundations framework.
On the digital front, ADGM launched a unified mobile app to improve the user experience for companies, employees, and residents. It also unveiled a pioneering digital platform for real estate transactions, enabling fully virtual buy-sell processes—a first of its kind in the region.
ADGM Academy also achieved notable results in Q1 2025, facilitating 800 job placements for Emiratis through nine specialised career tracks and offering 23 internationally accredited training programmes.
The Academy entered into two key partnerships: one with Arab Youth to support tech innovation and youth empowerment, and another with the Federal Tax Authority to deliver national strategy-aligned training.
Lastly, the ADGM Academy Research Centre released six new research studies, primarily focused on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the UAE’s financial landscape.
In the first quarter of 2025, ADGM experienced substantial gains across key performance indicators. This growth was driven by sustained global investor trust, regulatory enhancements, and the effective execution of major initiatives within its expanded jurisdiction on Al Reem Island.
Commenting on the positive trajectory, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, stated, “The performance in Q1 2025 sets the stage for another landmark year. It highlights not only ADGM’s ability to sustain growth but also the confidence it commands among global and regional players—further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s global standing as a centre for finance and innovation."
He added that ADGM, known as the world’s safest and most dynamic jurisdiction for asset and wealth management, is growing with purpose—welcoming top firms, enhancing global partnerships, and championing digital and sustainable transformation. The centre remains committed to capital formation and innovation in line with the UAE’s long-term economic vision.
The asset management sector continued to serve as a key growth indicator. Assets under management rose by 33% compared to Q1 2024. By the end of Q1 2025, 119 asset and fund managers oversaw 184 funds within ADGM.
Operational entities within ADGM also saw a 43% year-on-year increase, reaching 2,781. Financial services entities grew by 26% to 367. Additionally, newly issued licences rose by 67%, reflecting a rising demand from global firms eager to access Abu Dhabi’s unique financial and regulatory framework.
High-profile companies that joined ADGM during this period include Skadden, Investindustrial, NewVest, Arcapita, Polen Capital, Seviora, Olive Gaea, TON, and Aquila Group.
Human capital remains central to ADGM’s ‘Capital of Capital’ strategy. The workforce on Al Maryah Island reached over 29,000—marking a 17% increase from Q1 2024. Meanwhile, 3,509 new work permits were issued for businesses on Al Reem Island.
To further support workforce development, ADGM introduced updated Employment Regulations, enhancing employee protections while maintaining business flexibility. These reforms reinforce ADGM’s appeal as a global destination for talent and a promoter of sustainable economic development.
ADGM’s jurisdictional expansion to Al Reem Island proved effective. By Q1 2025, over 600 new businesses had established operations there, while more than 500 existing companies transitioned to ADGM licences. In total, 1,100 new entities now operate within the expanded zone.
In January, ADGM revised its commercial licensing fee structure—cutting costs by at least 50% for non-financial and retail businesses. The simplified flat fee of AED 1,000 replaced a tiered model, making it easier for startups and SMEs to enter and grow within the ADGM framework.
March saw ADGM sign an MoU with Chainlink, a leading force in onchain finance, to collaborate on compliant tokenisation frameworks. The quarter also welcomed Stacks Asia and Bitgrit to ADGM’s DLT ecosystem, supported by its globally recognised DLT Foundations framework.
On the digital front, ADGM launched a unified mobile app to improve the user experience for companies, employees, and residents. It also unveiled a pioneering digital platform for real estate transactions, enabling fully virtual buy-sell processes—a first of its kind in the region.
ADGM Academy also achieved notable results in Q1 2025, facilitating 800 job placements for Emiratis through nine specialised career tracks and offering 23 internationally accredited training programmes.
The Academy entered into two key partnerships: one with Arab Youth to support tech innovation and youth empowerment, and another with the Federal Tax Authority to deliver national strategy-aligned training.
Lastly, the ADGM Academy Research Centre released six new research studies, primarily focused on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the UAE’s financial landscape.