At the 3rd Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in London, ADGM Chairman Ahmed Al Zaabi announced that 14 global financial firms with combined assets of more than $5 trillion plan to establish a presence in Abu Dhabi Global Market, the emirate's international financial centre. The news was reported by The National and the state news agency WAM on 19 October 2026.
Who is coming to ADGM
According to Al Zaabi, as relayed by WAM, the roster includes top-tier asset managers, private equity sponsors and hedge funds. Names already in the public record include:
- Capital Group — US asset manager with roughly $3.6 trillion AUM (ADGM licence secured in September 2026).
- Blue Owl Capital — a major US private-credit platform.
- Vista Equity Partners — technology-focused private equity.
- Man Group — the world's largest listed hedge fund.
- Barings, Bain Capital, Cantor — three US houses with global mandates.
- Pantheon — a global private-markets platform.
- Eurazeo — European asset manager, €40 billion AUM.
- Adapt Investment Managers — a Swiss derivatives investment firm.
ADGM says these firms have either filed or announced an intent to register in the centre. Combined AUM of the 14 firms is more than $5 trillion.
What this means for Abu Dhabi's economy
Al Zaabi quoted fresh macro figures for the emirate: "In 2025, Abu Dhabi's economy grew by 7 per cent and our non-oil economy grew by 8 per cent." He added that the non-oil sector now accounts for more than half of GDP — unusual for a hydrocarbon exporter.
The inflow of global asset managers continues a shift begun earlier: ADGM reported that asset managers that set up in the centre during H1 2026 together manage more than $2.1 trillion in global AUM.
Why ADGM
Abu Dhabi Global Market applies English common law directly, with its own courts and the FSRA as an independent regulator. For global funds this reduces friction in cross-border transactions, fiduciary structures and dispute resolution. The second factor is tax: 9% corporate tax on the mainland with targeted Qualifying Free Zone Person regimes in financial centres. The third is proximity to the emirate's capital: Abu Dhabi's sovereign funds (ADQ, Mubadala, ADIA) together manage close to $1.5 trillion.
For a current map of UAE business regulation, see our overview: UAE business regulation in 2026.
Context — London as a staging ground
The Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) is organised by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The third London edition builds on the format launched in 2024: the previous London edition took place on 9 October 2025 and gathered more than 40 private companies and family businesses from Abu Dhabi. In 2026 the focus has shifted toward global asset managers and long-term capital.
What this means for business in the UAE
For professional services and back office — an expected wave of hiring in compliance, audit, common-law lawyers, corporate banks and fund administration. For SMEs and startups — a thicker deal pipeline sourced directly from Abu Dhabi now that Blue Owl, Vista and Capital Group have boots on the ground. For finance expats — more MENA-level roles based in the UAE rather than in London or New York.
Abu Dhabi is backing operational readiness: the common-law perimeter of ADGM has expanded beyond Al Maryah Island (ADGM Sahab, Reem), English is being extended across government documents, and Golden Visa routes for finance-industry professionals have been streamlined.
On sourcing
Primary attribution: remarks by ADGM Chairman Ahmed Al Zaabi at the 3rd Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in London (October 2026), relayed by state news agency WAM. Company-level detail: The National (19.10.2026). Abu Dhabi economy numbers and the H1 2026 AUM figure: ADGM publications.
